The Flagstaff Senior Center celebrated the grand opening of its new health and wellness wing Thursday, a $2.1 million expansion that nearly doubles the facility’s usable space and adds a range of new services designed to support the physical health, mental well-being, and social engagement of older adults in the Coconino County community. More than 200 seniors, family members, community leaders, and staff gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked the culmination of a three-year fundraising and construction effort.
The new wing adds 4,500 square feet to the existing facility and includes a dedicated fitness room with age-appropriate exercise equipment, a multipurpose wellness studio for group classes, two private consultation rooms for health screenings and counseling, a computer lab, and an expanded kitchen that will allow the center to increase its daily meal service capacity. The expansion was funded through a combination of city capital improvement funds, a grant from the Arizona Community Foundation, and a community fundraising campaign that raised over $400,000 from local donors.
Senior Center Director Maria Bitsilly said the expansion responds to dramatic growth in both the center’s membership and the senior population across the region. “When this center opened 15 years ago, we served about 60 people a day,” Bitsilly said. “Today, on a busy day, we see more than 180. The demand for our services has outpaced our capacity, and this expansion allows us to meet our community where they are, with the programs and support they actually need.”
Among the most anticipated new offerings is a comprehensive fitness program developed in partnership with Northern Arizona Healthcare’s physical therapy department. The program includes evidence-based classes in balance and fall prevention, strength training for bone health, chair yoga, and a walking group that will use the center’s expanded outdoor patio area. Physical therapist Dr. Sarah Lindquist, who helped design the program, said the focus is on functional fitness that helps seniors maintain independence and reduce injury risk. “Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalization for older adults,” Dr. Lindquist explained. “A well-designed exercise program can reduce fall risk by up to 40 percent. That translates directly into better quality of life and reduced healthcare costs.”
The wellness wing’s health screening room will host regular visits from healthcare providers offering blood pressure checks, glucose monitoring, vision screenings, and hearing tests. The center has also established a partnership with the Coconino County Health Department to provide seasonal flu vaccinations and COVID-19 boosters on-site, eliminating the need for seniors to travel to pharmacies or clinics. A new social work office will offer drop-in hours for seniors needing assistance navigating Medicare, prescription drug programs, housing resources, and other support services.
The computer lab, equipped with 10 new stations and high-speed internet, will serve as the Flagstaff satellite location for the library system’s Connected Coconino digital literacy program. Seniors will be able to attend technology classes at the center and practice their skills in a supportive, familiar environment. Center member and retired postal worker Frank Ortega, who struggles with technology, said he was particularly excited about this offering. “I can barely figure out my phone,” Ortega said with a chuckle. “But I hear my grandkids talking about video calls and I want to be part of that. Having classes right here where I’m comfortable makes all the difference.”
The expansion also includes upgrades to the center’s congregate meal program, which provides nutritious lunches to seniors five days a week. The new commercial-grade kitchen will allow the center to increase daily meal capacity from 75 to 120 servings and to prepare meals that meet a wider range of dietary requirements, including diabetic-friendly, low-sodium, and culturally appropriate options. Meal program coordinator Theresa Tsinnijinnie said the expanded kitchen represents a significant step forward. “Food is about more than nutrition,” Tsinnijinnie said. “It’s about dignity, community, and care. Every meal we serve is an act of love for our elders.”
Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett praised the expansion as an investment in the community’s most valued members. “Our seniors built this community,” Mayor Daggett said. “They taught in our schools, ran our businesses, served in our fire departments and on our city council. This center is how we say thank you, and this expansion is how we ensure that thank you is backed by real, meaningful support.” The new health and wellness wing is open to all Coconino County residents aged 60 and older. Membership is free, and transportation assistance is available for those who need it. Information about programs and enrollment is available at the center’s front desk or by calling the Flagstaff Senior Center directly.
