Senior center plans unveiled for expanded access

The new Senior Activity Center is getting underway, according to senior center director Karon Weatherman. 

Designed by Sulphur Springs native Adam Panter of Rees design firm, the building located at 301 Oak Avenue is coming along well. 

The building will feature two parking lots separated by the building on the east and west sides, as parking availability was one of the main features seniors will need, according to Panter. The parking spaces will also be angled in for easy access, as those who are familiar with the parking design of the downtown square may be familiar with. 

Accessibility throughout is a hallmark of the design, Panter said. When entering the building, a large thoroughfare Panter dubbed “Main Street” is wide and accommodates for those who need mobility devices per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Spaces branch off from Main Street, so it will be easy to find rooms and give directions to events taking place, Panter said. 

Another accessibility feature is the building’s main drop-off point. While the current senior center location has a narrow awning that makes it difficult for families to drop their senior off for activities, the new building will feature an awning that can support two cars parked underneath it at the same time, Panter said. This way, those with limited mobility can take their time exiting a vehicle, while traffic can continue to flow through the space. 

There is also an entirely separate awning for Meal-A-Day drivers to have their vehicles parked and shielded from the elements at all times, both so visitors do not impede the drivers as they enter and exit the center and so that drivers can feel safe no matter the conditions. 

The Meal-A-Day awning is connected to the Meal-A-Day commercial-grade prep kitchen, which for the first time will allow Meal-A-Day to function without halting other activities going on inside the center. Once cramped with the other activity space, Meal-A-Day now has its own devoted space to help community members. 

Activity space is no longer at a premium in the new center. There is plenty of room to spare, as up to five activities can be hosted at a time, according to city finance director Lesa Smith. There will be a large central room that can be split in half to host two different events. The new center also hosts a separate, smaller kitchen area, for coffee, pastries and intimate gatherings.

There is also an updated media room that can be converted into a game room, as well as a crafts area. Outdoor space will also be maximized, as those who view the plans can see a courtyard area that is taking shape. Weatherman may decide to use the space for gardening, exercise or other activity. 

“We want the building to fit in with the rest of the buildings around the area,” Weatherman said. “We even talked about landscaping.” 

“They deserve the best,” she said of her beloved seniors. 

“It’s definitely an approach to take this building and design it for seniors so that it fits into the fabric of downtown, as well as the bigger fabric of what the city is trying to do as far as building nice public facilities,” Panter said. “It will be connected with nice sidewalks. It will not be an isolated, stand-alone facility. It will be a part of the community and a part of the big Sulphur Springs picture.” 

Over the past few months, the COVID-19 virus and subsequent shutdown of the senior center have been difficult for area elderly, Weatherman said. 

“These past 4 months have been terrible for them [seniors],” she said. “They can't see their friends, they can't see their family and they can't get out of their homes for some fun and exercise. This age group has been hit the hardest.”

However, the design of the new senior center will be exactly the opposite, Panter said. 

“The new senior center will be on one of the main thoroughfares into downtown,” he said. “It’s a gateway opportunity. When you cross the train tracks on Oak Avenue, it’s the first building you’re going to see, and it will leave a great impression as you’re approaching downtown. It’s going to be a beautiful city asset that will push us forward. And we won’t be hiding our seniors away, we’ll be putting them right out front.