Building a New Chapter at the Dexte Senior Center

Written by Anna Pekrul, DSC Director

The Dexter Senior Center we know today began as a grassroots group of community members in 1971, officially becoming a nonprofit in 1987. Over the past five decades, it has grown and evolved, overcoming challenges while continually supporting and connecting older adults in Dexter and the surrounding area.

During the pandemic, the center’s future was at risk. With no permanent home, survival was uncertain. Everything changed when Dexter Community Schools secured appropriation funding to build a permanent facility for Dexter Senior Center.

The past two years have been a whirlwind of planning and construction. The new 10,000-square-foot facility on Baker Road was carefully designed to meet the wide-ranging needs of older adults in Dexter and the surrounding area, with dedicated spaces for fitness, dining, creative arts, social gatherings, and community events. With this new chapter, Executive Director Anna Pekrul is eager to expand membership by introducing programs and services that were simply not possible in the center’s former space.

With the grand opening set for May, the finishing touches are underway. Flooring is going down, paint is on the walls, furniture is arriving, and technology is being installed. Soon, this long-awaited dream will become a reality.

This new space will be more than a building. It will be a hub where older adults can learn, create, and connect for many years to come. Stay tuned for details on the grand opening celebration. In the meantime, you can visit Dexter Senior Center at its temporary location inside the Dexter Wellness Center.

Our mission is to provide programs and services which enable members to remain an active and integral part of the community and to empower them to retain their independence, dignity, and sense of well-being.

For a calendar of activities, visit dexterseniors.org