COMMUNITY SERVICES
Centers offer activities, fellowship for area seniors
Central Texans, age 55 and older, have plenty of opportunities to enjoy an active lifestyle at area senior centers.
KILLEEN The Bob Gilmore Center, at 2205 E. Veterans Memorial Blvd. is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with extended hours on Thursday until 9 p.m. The phone number is 254-501-6554. The Lions Club Park Senior Center, at 1700-B E. Stan Schlueter Loop, is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays with extended hours on Tuesday until 9 p.m. Its phone number is 254-501-6399. Membership in both centers is free, regardless of residency, to a person age 55 or older. A person under 55 may join if their spouse is 55 and a member. Both centers provide a daily hot lunch at 11:30 a.m. for $3. Activities include weekly dances, daily exercise classes, arts and crafts classes, board games,
computer classes, driver safety, grief counseling, billiards, pickle ball, and day trips. Membership at both centers totals more than 7,000 people. “Whether seniors join for entertainment, exercise or enrichment, the variety of programming offered at our centers provides something of value for every member,” said Director of Communications Hilary Shine.
COPPERAS COVE The Copperas Cove Senior Activity Center, in the Human Resources Building at 1012 North Drive, Suite 5, accepts individuals age 55 and older. The programs include meals twice a week and a breakfast event monthly, and a monthly potluck. Community organizations perform health checks every month, exercise classes are offered three times a week, along with a yoga class on Mondays and most Wednesdays.
Recreational activities include games, crochet, knitting, cards and dominoes, gardening, and crafts during the week. The center has a pool table, library and treadmills, plus time for fellowship. For more information, call 254-547-6049.
HARKER HEIGHTS The Harker Heights Senior Recreation Program is designed for ages 50 and up and offers free programs in socialization, recreation, nutrition, health and social services. With over 430 members, seniors enjoy taking monthly day trips, playing granny basketball and getting crafty with art classes. Programs are offered Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.at the Activities Center, 400 Indian Trail. Pickleball and granny basketball are played at the Recreation Center, 307 Miller’s Crossing. For more information, call 254-953-5493.
Armed Services YMCA offers programs for all ages The Armed Services YMCA Killeen provides discounted or low-cost youth development, fitness and recreational programs for the military and their families. All ASYMCA programs are open to all community members. Central Texans are served by ASYMCA centers in Killeen, Copperas Cove and Harker Heights. The Armed Services YMCA is the largest provider of school-age child care in Central Texas area, providing care to nearly 1,200 children daily. The ASYMCA Killeen serves children in 41 elementary schools in Killeen, Copperas Cove, Florence, Belton, Nolanville and Lampasas. Child-care services start at 6 a.m. until school starts, and are offered after school until 6 p.m. The ASYMCA also offers services on teacher in-service days and spring and winter breaks. The Armed Services YMCA Killeen-Harker Heights Program Center is at 100 E. Beeline Lane, Harker Heights. This center serves as a youth center for children ages 10-18 and pro-
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vides a variety of programs to include community service activities, STEM programs and field trips. Also located on the premises is the ASYMCA Aquatic Center, which is open during the summer months with a fully staffed pool and a spray pad. The ASYMCA has swim lessons for everyone from 6 months to adults, with morning and evening classes. The Armed Services YMCA Killeen– Copperas Cove Family Center is at 501 Clara Drive, Copperas Cove. This facility holds activities for the whole family, as it offers a basketball court, teen center and fitness area. The building offers a staffed child-watch area for members who work out, get personal training or are involved in Zumba, yoga, martial arts, running groups, Home School P.E., boot camps and biddy sports, with some offered free with memberships or at low cost. In spring 2016, the Armed Services YMCA opened the Harker Heights Wellness Center at 110 Mountain Lion Road. The 54,000-square-foot facility
includes a 10-lane lap pool with an adjacent warm water therapy pool, a 7,000-square-foot fitness floor with the latest state-of-the-art equipment. The building has three group exercise studios with classes throughout the day. The ASYMCA has free child watch for members of the family plans. The majority of group exercises are free with membership; some premium classes carry a fee; however, it is deeply discounted for members. Fitness classes are available for the entire family, and classes dedicated to children. The ASYMCA has partnered with the Killeen Independent School District to provide lanes for swim practice. Another partner, Seton Medical Center Harker Heights, provides outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy. Call 254-618-4900. The Armed Services YMCA Killeen is always looking for volunteers, employees, donations and community partners. For more information, call 254-634-5445 or visit www.asymca.net or Facebook.com/asymcakilleen.