PARK CITY — If there’s such a thing as senior center envy, the new one here is likely to induce it.
The $5.7 million, 13,000-square-feet Park City Senior Center opened in late February at 1811 Stuart Dr., near the intersection of 61st and Hydraulic. It’s about three times larger than the city’s previous senior center, which was built in 1997.
“It’s a pretty fantastic building,” center director Madison Pfluger said.
A large gathering space topped by a mural of a Kansas wheatfield greets visitors. It’s connected to a spacious catering kitchen. There are craft, game and conference rooms; a billiards room with three new regulation-size tables; a fitness studio for group classes and an exercise studio with four new cardio machines; a library and offices for staff.
“I’d say everything is an upgrade,” Pfluger said. “We essentially got everything new and improved.”
There’s also a large space that can be rented for birthday parties, wedding and other events. It will generate revenue and can be used by the senior center when not reserved.
Madison Pfluger
Pfluger and assistant city administrator Dana Walden said a couple of factors came together to make the new senior center a reality.
In 2023, Park City voters overwhelming approved a 1-cent sales tax increase. A chief selling point was that much of that tax would be paid by nonresidents patronizing Park City businesses such as the QuickTrip at 61st Street and U.S. 135 — one of the busiest in Kansas — a nearby Cracker Barrel and the Crosswinds Casino. The recent opening of Gilley’s entertainment and gaming center has added to the tax revenue.
The city surveyed residents and found that a new senior center was a priority. About the same time, the city received an offer on the former senior center, which had been located at 6100 N. Hydraulic, from a buyer who didn’t need the property right away. That allowed the city to build the new center without disrupting operations of the existing one.
The city broke ground last May and, as Mayor John Lehnherr noted at the center’s dedication, the project came in $100,000 under budget. “It all just kind of worked very well for us,” Walden said.
Nancy Pickler, standing, teaches mahjong to Bonnie Yowell (in red), Jannel Mallernee and Tim Rock last month at the new Park City Senior Center.
The new center is located in the heart of Park Centre, a mixed-used development designed to be the city’s first real downtown. Mennonite Housing is currently building a 50-unit affordable senior housing complex to be called Lancaster Square within walking distance of the new senior center. It’s expected to open next spring.
Another resident priority to be funded by the sales tax — an aquatic center, the city’s first pool since 2012 — is slated to open on Memorial Day.
“There’s just so much going on in Park City right now, it’s truly amazing,” Walden said.
The old center was visited by about 750 seniors at least once last year, and city officials expect that number to grow. The center is open to anyone who is 55 or older, including nonresidents. There is no membership fee.
Lori Young, a part-time Park City resident, visited the center to work out on an elliptical exercise machine and was impressed.
“It’s nice,’ Young said. “There are a lot of different rooms where they can do different activities.” Park City budgets about $100,000 per year for center operations. It receives $35,000 from Sedgwick County.
In addition to daily Friendship Meals served at noon, there are numerous recreational activities and educational programs offered.
“We really encourage people to come to our center,” Walden said. “We’re really hoping to be able to offer some more programming. She (Pfluger) has done a fabulous job of
bringing in programs, but just with limited space.
Pfluger, though, will soon only be an occasional visitor to the center. She’s resigning to become a stay-at-home mom. Her last day is April 3.
“I’ve been with the city almost 12 years,” she said. “It’s been my dream since the beginning to have a new center. We’re just very lucky to have the support of the city of Park City and Sedgwick County.”
About the center
The Park City Senior Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. For more information, visit parkcityks.gov or call (316) 744-1199.
