The New GT County Senior Center Gains 13 Times More Members in 2025 than in 2024

More space, more programs, more seniors

By Art Bukowski | Oct. 4, 2025

Has the new Grand Traverse County Senior Center been a big hit?

Consider these numbers: Since around the time the new and improved bayfront facility opened in February, it’s gained about 4,000 new members. In all of 2024, by comparison, they gained 307 members.

“I think this shows how important this is to our community,” says Lacey Edgecomb, director of the Grand Traverse County Senior Center Network. “We know our senior population is growing every day…and it’s wonderful that they’re taking advantage of this place. It’s here for them, and it’s a wonderful resource.”

The facility itself gets rave reviews, and its location nestled on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay simply can’t be topped.

“We’ll get seniors from other locations who just want to come in and look, and they say ‘We don’t have anything like this, this is really amazing,’” says Shannon Sebela, program coordinator.

And while all that growth and enthusiasm is exciting, the senior center staff is already under pressure to expand and add more programs.

“With the amount of people coming through the doors now compared to before, it’s a little harder on our staff at times,” Sebela says. “It’s nonstop. We’re on all day.”

Bigger and Better

The 18,000-square-foot new Traverse City facility replaces a dated, 6,000-square-foot facility at the same site that started as a pavilion before having walls, electricity, and various additions tacked on over the years. The increased space is arguably the most important attribute of the new center; it’s provided room for more programming and social connections.

“This space is almost three times larger than the old space, which gives us the ability to have so many programs running at the same time, but also just spaces to gather and relax and connect,” Edgecomb says.“In the old building, there just wasn’t as much space to sit and chat with a friend, and it’s been so nice that we’ve been able to build those in here.”

There are at least two dozen programs, classes, or groups offered at the senior center—including pilates/yoga fusion, chess, theatre, pickleball, scrapbooking, and more—and greatly expanded offerings of old favorites like mahjongg.

“We have the space to offer more things, and more things at once,” says Sebela. “But we’re maxing out on everything.”

Many people struggle with change, but excitement for the new center has outpaced nostalgia for the old by a very considerable margin, Edgecomb says.

“It's really rewarding every single time somebody walks through that door and…they’re just amazed at the size and the beauty and how thoughtful some of the elements are in terms of different spaces, and how we were cognizant of having different programs for different skill sets and different hobbies at the same time,” she says.

It also feels less…stuffy.

“It really has a more youthful feel. We’ve captured a whole younger segment of seniors in the 4,000 new members,” Edgecomb says. “We’re trying to break that barrier and get beyond that stigma of ‘This is a place for my parents.’ We get people in the 50 to 60 range bringing in their parents in, and we’re like ‘Hey, what about you?’”

Place and Purpose

Ultimately, the new senior center provides an improved place to do the very things that enrich life well into old age.

“It’s the connection, the friendships, the camaraderie, the social aspect, all of those things that keep us active and keep our brains engaged,” Edgecomb says.

It’s also a place to find purpose and belonging.

“Whether you’ve lost your spouse or you’re not working anymore, how do you go into those later parts of your life and find a new purpose?” Edgecomb says. “We have a lot of members that come here to enjoy things, and we have a lot of people that volunteer with us to help. They find purpose in [serving others].”

Volunteers are indeed critical to the senior center network’s operations. A roster of about 100, most of them seniors themselves, keeps things running smoothly.

“We run four locations with 10 staff, so if we didn't have our volunteers and facilitators and instructors that we partner with, we would never be able to do all that we do,” Edgecomb says.

It’s also a rewarding endeavor for senior center staff, who get a chance to connect with many people who have led fulfilling and often very interesting lives.

“I think for me, it’s hearing the life stories. When you hear what they did for their career, or about their children or their life story and the things that they did in their lives, it’s amazing,” Edgecomb says. “There’s so many special people here. It makes you proud.”

In Their Own Words

Steve Ballentine, 64, and Mark Cornish, 69, regularly visit the senior center to play pool. Neither were regulars at the old center, but they sure do dig the new one.

“We love it. I’ve been coming since mid-February, shortly after it opened. I started off playing a lot of chess, teaching chess,” Ballentine says. “My original goal was to introduce people to the game of chess, but I kind of got drawn in the vortex of pool.”

Ballentine is just starting this phase of life, and he’s thrilled to have a place like the senior center. “I just retired in December, so the whole concept of being retired is new to me,” he says. “What do I do with my time? And this has really filled that void. And it’s great because it’s paid for with our taxes.”

Cornish and his wife are at the senior center all the time.

“It’s really a great place to come,” he said. “I sometimes find myself down here five days a week. If it weren’t for this place, maybe I’d be sitting at home watching TV, maybe out hiking the dog.”

Cornish likes that there’s plenty for both him and his wife to do at the center.

“My wife takes advantage of the pilates, the yoga, the ping-pong, so it’s great that we can come together and do things. I play ping-pong with her—I wish I could teach her to do some bridge—but there’s always something going on.”

Judy Levin, 82, sat and enjoyed a newspaper as Cornish and Ballentine played pool. She’s an Elmwood Township (Leelanau County) resident who takes advantage of the out-of-county membership option.

Levin had been a regular visitor to the old center and called the new one a big upgrade. “This was a long time coming—many, many years—and when it opened up, it was just absolutely thrilling. Everybody is just so happy with this,” she says. “And the staff is wonderful.”

Joining the Senior Center

The Grand Traverse County Senior Center Network includes the main Traverse City facility along with shared space in Fife Lake, Kingsley, and Interlochen for senior center programming.

Membership is free to county residents over 60 (though some classes cost extra), and only $10 a year for county residents 50-59. Residents aged 50 and older outside the county can join for $50 a year, and Leelanau County residents often take advantage of this. To become a member, you can fill out the membership form online or in person at the center.

Find the Senior Center at 801 E Front St. in Traverse City or online at gtcountymi.gov/2742/Senior-Center.