Traverse City Senior Center Completed
Building Opens for Senior Center Network Programming & Ribbon Cutting February 3, 2025
The City of Traverse City and Grand Traverse County are excited to announce the completion and opening of the newly constructed Senior Center, a long-awaited community project that will officially open its doors on February 3, 2025.
Join the City and County for a ceremonial ribbon cutting on Monday, February 3, 2025 at 3 pm. Attendees will be offered an opportunity to tour the facility. A community celebration is planned for spring 2025 to commemorate this milestone.
The state-of-the-art facility significantly expands from 5,780 square feet to over 18,000 square feet, including covered patios and outdoor spaces. With its northward orientation, the center boasts expansive views of the park, the public beach, and West Grand Traverse Bay, offering an enhanced setting for senior recreation and engagement.
“The Senior Center is one of the most significant projects the City has completed, and we are honored to provide our senior community with a state-of-the-art facility that fully embraces its beautiful location. Equipped with top-tier amenities for senior programming, this space reflects our commitment to enhancing quality of life. We extend our deepest gratitude to the State of Michigan, local leadership, private donors, the Friends of the Senior Center, and everyone who supported this effort along the way,” said City Manager Liz Vogel.
Key Features of the New Senior Center
• Expanded Space – Growing from 5,780 to over 18,000 square feet
• Scenic Views – Designed to maximize enjoyment of the park and waterfront
• Sustainability – Incorporating green roofs, pervious pavement, electrification throughout the building, including its geothermal systems
• Accessibility – Improved access to the beach, outdoor spaces, and restrooms
• Modern Amenities – A commercial kitchen, updated furnishings, and state-of-the-art equipment
• Recreational Opportunities – New tennis and pickleball courts, a pool table, meeting spaces, and a fitness room
• Enhanced Convenience – Covered drop-off areas and outdoor patios
The vision for this transformative project took shape in 2022 when the City of Traverse City received a $7 million allocation from the State of Michigan, making the long-envisioned rebuild a reality. The project officially broke ground in September 2023, culminating in a total investment exceeding $10 million, funded through State of Michigan support ($7,000,000), City ARPA funds ($766,385), Brown Bridge Trust Fund ($250,000), City Funds, Friends of the Senior Center, the McCauley Trust Fund, and private donations.
Grand Traverse County provided $800,000 for future maintenance and operations. Funds were utilized for operational items such as the TVs and kitchen equipment.
Senior Center Network Programming
The Senior Center Network will begin full programming in the new building starting Monday, February 3, 2025. To ease the transition and welcome the community, the center will be open to the public for informal visits from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, from February 3 through February 14. Visitors are encouraged to stop by to explore the facility, learn about program offerings, and inquire about memberships.
All current Senior Center Network programming, including daily lunch services, will seamlessly transition to the new facility on February 3 with no disruptions anticipated.
"We are overjoyed for the long-awaited opening of the Traverse City Senior Center and look forward to welcoming our community into this beautiful new space. I am honored to take on this role as director during such an exciting time for our network and community." Lacey Edgecomb, Director of the Grand Traverse County Senior Center Network.
BATA Services at the Senior Center
• The FREE BATA Bayline will stop at the corner of Front and Barlow (westbound) every 15 minutes. Requests for door service can be made and accommodated if time allows.
• BATA will temporarily deviate the outbound Bayline Aero Park (eastbound) loop to the front entrance of the Senior Center building. This deviation will last for 2 weeks and may continue based on ridership and usage.
• BATA Link is always available for direct drop-off at the Senior Center.
Please visit www.bata.net or call (231) 941.2324 for more information or track buses in real-time using www.batabustracker.com.
The Senior Center is located at 801 East Front Street, on City parkland along the shores of West Grand Traverse Bay. Since 2011, under an intergovernmental agreement, Grand Traverse County’s Senior Center Network has managed daily operations and programming at the City-owned facility.
Senior Center Network
Senior Center Project