Location, location, location.
The three rules of resale don’t apply only to real estate. In this case, they apply to the new Lynnwood Senior Center.
For years, that senior center existed in a strip mall, away from the city center.
That location never sat well with Mary-Anne Graf
ton, the center’s recreation supervisor, who had reason to rejoice recently.
The Lynnwood Senior Center had a grand opening in July at its new location smack in the center of the action at Lynnwood’s Civic Center campus, next to Lynnwood City Hall and the Lynnwood Recreation Center and near the library.
The building has housed many things in its day, including the city’s police station and jail. Remodeling this North Administration Building and turning it into a senior center cost only $75,000 by using lots of recycled and repurposed items from the other senior center, Grafton said.
Grafton couldn’t be happier with the new location.
“I always hated the idea that the senior center sat tucked away and hard to find because I really think seniors need to be front and center and a vibrant part of the community,” Grafton said. “They have the skills and experience you can’t get anywhere else.”
The move also means that now seniors are granted full access to the Lynnwood Recreation Center with their senior center membership, which includes intermediate and advanced fitness classes.
Last year, the senior center formalized a two-tier membership system, separating the seniors who are 62 and above and who are qualified for discounts (memberships are $20 per person) from those 61 and younger who are now considered associate members ($30 per person).
“We’re recognizing as the boomers are aging up they are becoming eligible for the senior center but don’t want to be seniors — you can’t call a boomer a senior,” Grafton said. “We’re trying to be very inclusive here. So if you come in for a seated massage, that doesn’t mean you have white hair and are in a rocking chair.”
In addition to being steps away from the Lynnwood Rec Center, the senior center has its own variety of classes and activities for members, from a walking club to a driftwood sculpture class.
And Grafton boasted that the center’s outdoor recreation program is one of the most outstanding in western Washington.
Janet Sigler is the outdoor recreation specialist, and she leads members on trips that involve kayaking, biking, fishing, snowshoeing and golfing.
The outdoor recreation groups go all over as well, from Padilla Bay in Anacortes to Crystal Mountain Ski Resort to ride the new gondola.
Grafton added that these programs and trips are particularly valuable for seniors relocating to the area to be closer to family.
“With day trips you can get acquainted with the area and meet some people to hang out with,” Grafton said.
It’s key for aging boomers and for seniors to keep moving, to keep active, Grafton said, but it’s also key for the senior center not to be exclusive.
Grafton said it was not uncommon on some days to see a 17-year-old volunteering, a 102-year-old playing bridge, a 65-year-old facilitating a group and a 30-year-old working the front desk.
“We have to make sure we are targeting services for older adults, but we don’t want to become stagnant and we want to continue intergenerational blending,” Grafton said. “It’s a wonderful coming together and I love to be part of it, and we’re working hard to try to expand that.”
Grafton added: “It’s not good to isolate anybody.”
Get involved
The new Lynnwood Senior Center is at 19000 44th Ave. W. Call 425-670-5050 to register or go to www.ci.lynnwood.wa.us/seniors for more information.
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