Lexington has broken ground on the City’s new Senior & Therapeutic Recreation Center now under construction in Shillito Park on the city’s southside (near Fayette Mall).  The neighborhood is popular with seniors, and is home to multiple senior living and memory care facilities. Plans call for a 26,000-square-foot building, with a projected opening date in 2026.

Lexington is getting older and getting better, especially for senior citizens, Mayor Linda Gorton said. “The Census told us that our 55-plus population — which currently accounts for about 25 percent of our residents — is growing. Our popular senior centers are already crowded. This new senior center facility will offer much needed services in a part of town where a lot of seniors live. It’s a big step forward.”

The new senior center will offer many of the programs that are offered at Lexington’s Senior Center on Life Lane (near the Richmond Road campus of Southland Christian Church), including technology, arts and crafts.
“We also recognize that the needs of our participants are constantly evolving,” said Kristy Stambaugh, Director of the Division of Aging and Disability Services. “The center will be designed with that in mind, incorporating flexible spaces and programming that can adapt to the changing landscape of aging. From fitness classes to arts and crafts, from technology workshops to intergenerational activities, this center will be a true reflection of the diverse interests of our community.”
The therapeutic recreation portion of the new facility will support Parks & Recreation’s Therapeutic Recreation program, which supports individuals with disabilities and special needs. City staff members from the Division of Aging and Disability Services will supervise programming for Seniors at the center, and staff members with the Division of Parks and Recreation will supervise programming for participants in Therapeutic Recreation.

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