The 34,000 square foot state-of-the-art senior center will open in 2027. The $41.1 million project is years in the making, with seniors eager to create memories inside this one-of-a-kind space just for them.
"I promise you, I promise you there will be no other center like it in the entire Central Valley. This will be the best," said Mayor Dyer.
Once home to the former Vons building at Blackstone near Ashlan, the now dirt lot will be the future home for the city's first senior activity center. It will sit on four-and-a-half acres and be billed as the largest center in the state.
It will feature an abundance of amenities including a gym, library, garden, office space, and pickleball and bocce ball courts.
"It's a place that not only adds to a senior's quality of life, but a place that extends the life of our senior citizens," said Mayor Dyer.
The project had been in the works after years of planning with multiple open house meetings held across all seven city council districts, as well as virtual meetings.
"Advocacy for the creation of the Fresno Senior Activity Center has been a grassroots effort in the senior community that started in earnest in 2016," said Jeffery Holick, a Fresno senior.
Local senior Josie Almeida has been a part of that effort since 2023. She currently utilizes the senior center in Clovis.
"I'm really glad to see this come into fruition. It's just something that Fresno needs," said Almeida.
"It is our seniors who ultimately had the final say in what is going into this building here behind us," said Fresno City councilmember Tyler Maxwell.
The city hopes the space will welcome seniors from across the city and create a sense of belonging.
"Some seniors live alone. They don't have anybody; they don't have family. This could become family for them," said Almeida.
The center will be made available free of charge to seniors living in Fresno.
All are welcome with a valid ID.
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