This year, the Pleasanton Senior Center reaches a significant milestone, as it celebrates its 20th year anniversary. Since its opening in March of 1993, the Center has been an important resource for the community, offering a wide array of classes, programs and services important for mature adults.

The Senior Center also houses the Pleasanton Paratransit and RADD Programs (Recreational Activities for the Developmentally Disabled) and the offices of the independent non-profit agency Senior Support Program of the Tri-Valley.

The Center has served as a significant community venue, hosting events from the Mayor’s Dinners and school fundraisers to private weddings and birthday parties. More importantly, this landmark building continues to attract and accommodate a growing number of participants, functioning as a key distribution point for critical senior services and information.

Center staff, volunteers and participants invite the public to attend a grand 20th Anniversary Celebration and Open House celebration on Saturday, March 2nd from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Our theme, Celebrating the Past and Embracing the Future will include a variety of class demonstrations, open woodshop and “Senior Players” skit. Other features will be a Pleasanton merchant coupon book and free BBQ lunch for the first 300 registered seniors (tickets distributed on Wednesday, February 20, 2013).

Opening remarks, featuring local dignitaries, precede lunch at 11:30am in the Main Hall, with the announcement of the Volunteer and Community Partner of the Year to follow at 1:00pm. The Center’s Peddler Shoppe boutique, renowned for its hand-made crafts, clothing accessories and blankets will also be open for business. The weekend festivities conclude on Sunday, March 3rd with a free Tea Dance from 2:00-4:00pm, featuring the live band, “The Cool Tones.” No reservations required.

For more information, contact the Senior Center at 931-5365.

Senior Center Background and History

Back in 1985, members of the Pleasanton Senior Center Task Force began crafting a plan that would transform a vacant City owned utility yard into an attractive and vibrant center that would eventually accommodate senior recreation, educational and transportation services for future generations. Seven years later, after all the research, community meetings, and architectural designs, the City broke ground and work began. What opened less than a year later was a structure that was more than they had imagined - a beautifully crafted and spacious 22,000 square foot building with an adjoining 6-acre park that still has the power to impress newcomers.

Today, over 1,000 people a week pass through its sliding glass doors to access a robust schedule of health and wellness classes like Zumba Gold, Fit for Fifty, Walking, Tai-Chi, Yoga, and Sittercise, and the soon-to-be launched Pleasanton Peddlers, a new bicycle club. Other popular offerings include book, PC User and photo clubs, computer tutoring, knitting, brain fitness, community lecture and writing classes. The locally recognized performing troupe, The Senior Players, call the Center home, as they rehearse for their annual production at the Firehouse Arts Center. The Center boasts of its unique woodshop, with numerous opportunities for wood working, wood carving and wood turning.

Looking for a tasty and inexpensive lunch? Spectrum Community Services operates the SNAPPY café, Monday thru Friday and offers seniors a healthy and affordable lunch option, with entrées that include salads and vegetarian dishes. And if a senior is homebound, Spectrum staff can arrange for home delivered meals. Pleasanton Paratransit Services also calls the Center home, and continues its proud tradition of 30 years of door-to-door shared ride service to seniors 70 years of age and older (and ADA eligible residents).

Over the years, Center staff has cultivated strong partnerships with the local Senior Services providers, particularly with The Senior Support Program of the Tri-Valley, an independent non-profit agency located at the Center since 2003. Under their auspices, services and programs range from foot care, health screening and blood pressure checks to fall prevention and nutrition education programs. Other community partners enhance the roster of services with eye glass repairs, fraud and health insurance counseling, AARP sponsored tax assistance and mature driver safety programs, hearing aid assistance, free notary services, and estate planning advice.

Further complementing the wide scope of the recreation and service opportunities is the RADD program (Recreational Activities for the Developmentally Disabled), which has run its functions out the Center for the last several years. Activities include dances, movies, barbecues, game nights and much more!