22 Highlands Ranch Herald
April 7, 2022
SENIORS FROM PAGE 1
SEE SENIORS, P23
A draft floor plan for the Highlands Ranch senior center, which will house human services, art and skills classes, fitness sessions IMAGES COURTESY OF HIGHLANDS RANCH METRO DISTRICT and resources for people over 55.
A draft rendering of the Highlands Ranch senior center, which hopes to break ground this fall.
PRESENTS
“The goal is not to duplicate, so we’re not going to have a fitness center where you walk and see a bunch of weight machines because the community association already does a great job providing that,” he said. Feedback from local seniors point to the demand for a variety of activities, including classes on new skills, conversational groups, crafts sessions, potlucks, fitness classes, indoor and outdoor games, special interest clubs and events. HRMD’s Director of Parks, Recreation and Open Space Tammy Tucker said the activities at the center will be heavily influenced by user requests, as well as addressing social, mental and physical wellbeing. Support groups, referrals for health care, caregiver services and health screenings round out the offerings. “When thinking about why we need (a senior center), it’s the idea that you don’t put preschoolers in a middle school,” Tucker said. “On a basic level, it’s a place for person to person interaction and the value of that and taking that up a level, it becomes skill-based.” Roughly 2,000 square feet of the facility will act as the Douglas County satellite office, providing Medicaid assistance, SNAP and food assistance, adult financial programs and an accessible place to pick up an EBT card. “It helps us get eyes on seniors in the community and … get them the supports they need when they need them,” Tucker said. Demand for senior-oriented services is only increasing in Highlands Ranch, as the number of people over 55 has grown to 20% of the population as of 2019. Renshaw said demand has been building over the last 10 to 15 years. Survey results from 124 Highlands Ranch seniors indicate that 95 of them would visit the center one to three times per week. Planning for the senior center officially started in 2017 with site evaluation. Renshaw said the site on Highlands Ranch Parkway was chosen for a number of reasons, including its central location in the community and the cost-effectiveness for building there. The site’s designated permitted uses allow for community or
APR
15
PACE CENTER 7:30 PM
TICKETS AT PARKERARTS.ORG OR 303.805.6800
