'New Heights:' City of Tallahassee breaks ground on new Welaunee senior center
Tallahassee's Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs Department is soaring to new heights with the groundbreaking of the new senior center.
In a special celebration Wednesday morning held at the site of the soon to be center, city commissioners, managers and staff all joined together along Welaunee Boulevard to turn some dirt on another big ticket project.
As guests pulled in to the event they were treated to a stellar view of hot air balloons in the distance, director of communications for the city Alison Faris said she wanted the event to match the excitement the seniors have for the new center. The balloons symbolized the new facility reaching "new heights" for the city.
"We are confident that this additional facility is going to enhance the quality of life for so many of our Tallahassee fans for so many years to come," Director of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs, Ashley Edwards said.
According to Edwards, the $25 million center "is gonna allow us to offer expanded programs for our rapidly growing population of active seniors. When it's completed the 40,000 square foot building will house a double size multipurpose gym with space for six pickleball courts, basketball, volleyball, table tennis; it'll have fitness classes, a weight room, and more."
"The Lifelong Learning wing will offer educational classes, art programs, card games and health opportunities just to name a few of some of the programs that we can anticipate," Edwards continued.
The project is set to begin construction by as early as this month with substantial completion in fall of 2025.
The project was initially expected to cost $18 million with hopes that it could be completed in early 2023. Ongoing labor shortages post-pandemic and inflation impacts have increased budgets and delayed projects across the nation and in Tallahassee.
Except for City Commissioners Jeremy Matlow and Jack Porter, all other commissioners were present and offered comments sharing their excitement for the new center, some even saying they were proud to be part of the senior crowd and engage in activities when the center opens. They also thanked all the staff who have worked on the project, giving a special shout-out to Senior Service Manager Sheila Salyer.
Salyer would have her chance to speak on the project she's worked tirelessly on.
"With a lot of your help, with your input and encouraging support, we're building something for now and for future generations," she said. "It's more than just a structure, It'll be another special place that welcomes seniors and provides a space where everyone can enjoy activities of their choosing and helps cultivate a sense of purpose."
The senior center is one of five ongoing projects the city has been touting as they "come alive in 2025." The other projects include Orange Avenue Park, Southside Transit Center, the Market District Park and the new Tallahassee Police Department, which may not come fully online until 2026.
There are no plans to close the existing North Monroe Street senior center. For at least a decade, city officials said demand would eventually drive a need for another facility.
Arianna Otero is the City Solutions Reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact her via email at aotero@tallahassee.com or on Twitter/X @ari_v_otero.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: City of Tallahassee breaks ground on new senior center at Welaunee
