Senior Centers
Read time: 3 minutes
I’ve been around senior centers my whole life.
When I was little, my Granny would take me and my sister with her to volunteer at the Fayetteville Senior Center when it was on Sang Avenue. She was well into her 70s at that time, and never missed a chance to give back and help ‘those old people.’ I can still smell the Meals on Wheels being prepared!
On Tuesday, the City will cut the ribbon for the new Senior Center located at 819 E. Emma Ave.
Photo credit: Buffalo Builders
Recap
2020: The Springdale City Council votes to take over operations of the Springdale Senior Center (previously run by a nonprofit), effective July 1, 2020. The facility is placed under the City’s Parks and Recreation Department. This transition marks the beginning of plans to replace the aging 1972-built senior center with a new facility.
Late 2021 – 2022: City officials begin planning a new modern senior center to better serve Springdale’s growing senior population. Early proposals envision a two-story center on East Emma Avenue near the Jones Center.
November 2021: the City purchased two parcels at 900 & 902 E Emma Ave from Kasim Ventures, LLC (Omar Kasim) for $500,000 as the intended location. (below)
May 2023: Springdale voters overwhelmingly approve the 2023 bond issue in the special election, with all four bond questions passing by over 80% support.
October 2023: A change in plans for the senior center’s location is announced. Rather than constructing it directly adjacent to the Jones Center as initially envisioned, the City decides to relocate the project to 819 E. Emma Avenue, on a city-owned 2-acre lot across the street. The relocation is driven by downtown redevelopment coordination – the Jones Center unveiled plans for a major campus renovation around the same time, so moving the senior center a block over would better complement the Jones Center’s expansion. City officials endorse the new site as it keeps the senior center in the downtown core while avoiding conflict with the Jones Center’s plans.
August 6, 2024: City officials break ground on the project.
September 9, 2025: Ribbon cutting.
New building details:
$14M
36,000 sq ft
Contractor: Buffalo Builders
Architect: CORE Architects
Location adjacent to trails and still just a short walk to the Jones Center or Luther George Park
Balcony seating with incredible views of the airport
Pickleball courts
Pool tables
Indoor and outdoor lounges
Center facts
13 different exercise classes per week like Intro to Pickleball, the Senior SEW-cial Club, watercolor art class, crochet, Mahjong, Bingo, and line dancing.
They feed over 300 seniors per day
60 and over - $4.00
Under 60 - $6.00
Meals on Wheels - $4.00
Led by Lori Proud, Director, and Chase Gipson, Assistant Director
While the polished concrete floors and pickleball courts are nice, we know the heart of any Senior Center is the staff and volunteers dedicated to its mission.
The new center represents yet another amazing amenity for Downtown Springdale and exactly the kind of facility our seniors deserve!
Meanwhile…
Shoutout to Supermercado La Estrella for having fresh limes in stock in a time of crock pot need!
Looks like a new ice cream shop is coming to the former Big Sexy location at 107 E. Emma Ave. Will share more details next week!
