Senior Center offering fun for the 50s | Appalachian Highlands

The Kingsport Senior Center is looking at a new year with a slate of new programs.

There will be a total of 11 new programs at the main center and the Lynn View branch, officials said. Those will include everything from woodworking, pickleball and learning how to make stained glass.

“Kingsport has supported the seniors in the community for decades,” according to a press release.

The center is more than 60 years old, first opening in 1960. In 1974, the city of Kingsport took over the operation and has operated it ever since.

The senior center caters to those who are 50 years old or older. It offers three types of membership for those who live in the city, in Sullivan County and all other county resident memberships that includes Southwest Virginia.

Two years ago, the center had an enrollment of more than 4,500 members and saw 90 visitors a day at the Lynn View center.

There’s a large population to cater to as well.

Census data shows 38.9% of city residents are 55 and older, while 45% of Sullivan County residents are 50 and older.

The center operates on an almost $800,000 budget with about $90,000 per year going to the Lynn View site.

But there’s plenty of fun and education at the senior center.

It supports multiple programs that highlight anything from the arts to health exercise.

There’s also plenty of games as well such as bingo, bridge, pool and rook.

Social and special events are also scattered throughout the year, along with health fairs to make sure seniors are healthy and active.

Some upcoming new classes include Pickleball Drills and Beginners Pickleball in April, which is a fast growing sport. A fun event will include a hike to Linville Falls in May.

At the Lynn View branch, stained glass classes will be taught with a beginner’s class and an advanced class.