Not Your Ordinary 55 and Over Gathering Place
By Lori Leath Smith
Are you aware that more than 10,000 senior adults live in the greater Niceville area? Needless to say, Niceville’s Senior Center is a popular “hang-out,” and one where the aging outlook has been redefined! And now it’s welcoming members once again—more than 1700 strong!
Having initially opened in December 2018 for adults age 55 and older, since March 2020, it was closed—462 days, to be exact, until its reopening at the end of June. Though it’s been challenging for the community and no one would have expected the Senior Center to be closed for that length of time, “I am proud to work for a city that has had the safety of its seniors at the forefront of the decision-making process,” Julie Mooney, Niceville Senior Center Manager, says. “As an officer for the Florida Association of Senior Centers, I can also tell you that while we are opening after some senior centers, we are fully opening long before many other centers in the state.” And that’s due to “our members, the program facilitators, the volunteers and the staff for being flexible and understanding over the past months as we worked to open.”
Julie has stepped back into her role as active Senior Center Manager “like a comfortable pair of shoes.” But, there are some changes and patience is needed. New staff is in training and there are new volunteers in the café and who are working to keep the Senior Center as clean and sanitized as possible.
If you’ve not experienced the Niceville Senior Center yet, get ready to be wowed! Not your typical “play bingo and get your blood pressure checked” kind of place; it’s a hub that baby boomers depend upon to accommodate their many interests, to stay mentally and physically fit and to enjoy camaraderie among friends. “The thing that hasn’t changed is the overall feeling of inclusiveness and welcome that new members are approached with every time they arrive,” says Julie. “I am so proud to be a part of a community that cares and supports one another.”
The Niceville Senior Center strives to empower and enhance the lives of adults 55 and over through its programs and caring services that promote wellness, social connection, support, nutrition, education, independence, activities, volunteerism and fun. For example, you can take a Facebook, iPhone or genealogy class, work out in the fitness room, take ping pong lessons, Zumba, gardening and knitting, or do chair yoga, take Tai Chi classes and more. Craving a milkshake? Members can show up on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. for a delicious milkshake in the 50s style kitchen served by volunteers. There’s even an outdoor recreation area with pickle ball courts, a putting green, exercise area and covered gazebos.
In addition, there’s a large social area, multi-purpose rooms, and a spacious game room that includes a pool table, table tennis and a space for dance classes. A state-of-the-art outside grilling area is located in the front of the center and a courtyard in front of the building has room for plenty of outside seating, a small stage for performances or meetings and a beautiful fountain.
There’s a lot of life to be lived after age 55, and this valuable community amenity has reopened to empower mature adults, promote their mental, physical and emotional health, keep them active, and help them engage with their community, make friends, and participate in activities that contribute to their overall health and well-being.
The center is located at 201 Campbell drive, Niceville, right across from the Niceville Recreation Center, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Membership is FREE for the residents of Niceville. For those who live outside the city limits, individual memberships run $80 for the year or $100 for a household, or monthly at $10 per individual and $15 per household; daily rate is $3 per person. However, all non-city residents who had a membership at the time the Senior Center was shut down in March of 2020 will have theirs renewed at no cost when they return. Temporary monthly memberships and lifetime memberships are also available. Please visit the Facebook page or call (850) 279-6436, ext. 1600 for more information. Registration forms for new members are available at the center.
