$3 Million in Funding for New Senior Center Clears First Hurdle

With nearly 19,000 residents ages 65 and older, our Civic Park Senior Center is a hub of services and programs for one of southeast Michigan’s largest populations of seniors.

Through $3 million in federal funding advanced with help from U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, the Livonia Senior Center Project is an addition to the Kirksey Recreation Center to accommodate a safer, more accessible, state-of-the-art senior center along with an expanded fitness center.

The current senior center is a 60-year-old, retro-fitted church that the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed is inadequate for the safety and health of Livonia’s seniors. Small spaces, inadequate HVAC and a lack of accessibility critically restrict the existing senior center. Building a new senior center, attached to the Kirksey Recreation Center, will expand Livonia seniors’ health and fitness opportunities while providing a safe and accessible new space for senior programming. This federal funding will provide for upgrades that allow increased access, larger class spaces, and for social distancing measures to continue after capacity limits are removed.

Facility design is in the early stages and no construction schedule is set. The current center will remain open until the new one is fully complete.

Seniors Headed Outdoors for Pair of Fun Social Gatherings

Our Civic Park Senior Center has two new in-person events that kicked off registration yesterday for Livonia residents and tomorrow for non-residents. If weather is uncooperative, both events would be moved indoors.

Seniors can join in on some fun and games 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18. Location is to be determined, but the fun isn’t. We will have a multitude of games from bocce ball to croquet, corn hole, Connect Four and more. Refreshments and picnic snacks will be served. Bring a lawn chair, come and watch, or join in for a day of fun and games outdoors. Register here. Cost is $2 for Livonia residents and $2.25 for non-residents.

A Picnic in the Park event is also planned for 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25, at Stymelski Veteran’s Park (14407 Stark). This social senior event will feature refreshments, entertainment, bingo, games, prizes and Lee’s Chicken boxed lunches! Register here. Cost is $5 for Livonia residents and $7 for non-residents. If you still have your 2020 St. Patrick’s ticket, we will gladly swap out that ticket for a picnic ticket. For more information, please call (746) 466-2555.

Children kicking legs in pool during swim lesson

Lap Pool Closed July 19-Aug. 6

Renovation on the Kirksey Recreation Center Lap Pool began yesterday and runs July 19-Aug. 6, but we’ll have lap lanes set up in the Leisure Pool and at our outdoor pools during select times for our lap swimmers.

Also, don't miss the registration kickoff for the next session of swim classes Aug. 9, with classes starting the week of Sept. 7.

Senior man lifting small weights outdoors

Senior Group Fitness Simplifying and Enhancing Registration Process

A lot of things changed for a lot of people during the pandemic. One of those was the Civic Park Senior Center joining the Livonia Parks and Recreation family. The newest part of the team has also led to a few changes for Fall 2021 programming:

• To assist us with scheduling and cut down on the number of times participants need to stop by to register, we are moving to a session-based format for several classes. We will begin offering punch cards and drop-in bands for classes, as well.
• We’ll be offering four FREE senior group fitness classes per week funded by CDBG.
• Marsha Heads’ classes will require participants to purchase specific punch cards.
• Instructors will no longer collect money directly from participants.

The updates are the same criteria utilized at the Jack E. Kirksey Recreation Center for all group fitness instructors, so we’re excited to have the senior fitness instructors on board. Implementation began in September 2020 as we prepare for fall registration to open Aug. 9-12. Classes begin the week of Sept. 7.

Two Weeks Out

Tue, July 20 – 6:30 p.m. Greenmead New Volunteer Orientation
Tue, July 20 – 6:30 p.m. Summer Fun Series Concert: Zippity2Dads
Thu, July 22 – 7 p.m. Music From the Heart Concert: The Earth Angels
Fri, July 23 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Burger and Brew Drive-Thru (sold out)
Sat, July 24 – 10-11 a.m. LivoniaFit Challenge Demo Day
Mon, July 26 – 12:30 p.m. Sundaes on Mondays
Tue, July 27 – 6:30 p.m. Summer Fun Series Concert: Momford and Sons
Thu, July 29 – 7 p.m. Music From the Heart Concert: The Dan Rafferty Band
Fri, July 30 – 7 p.m. #LoveLivonia Party