Gambling trips, baseball games, and wine tours. Sounds like the agenda for a group of twenty-somethings, doesn’t it? Throw in themed meals and costume contests, and images of sororities come to mind. And that visual isn’t completely wrong- you just need to change the ages of the participants. Instead of college coeds, substitute senior citizens. Now you have just visualized the City of Rifle Senior Center whose mission statement is “to provide a safe and friendly environment to promote social interactions with nutrition, activities and educational programs.”
I recently realized that there are some prevalent misconceptions regarding what the Senior Center actually does. Speaking with seniors around town, I was shocked to learn that many assume the Senior Center is simply a resource for people who are struggling. True, there are healthy, low-cost meals, but they aren’t just for the impoverished and are actually quite the social gathering. Lunches are served three times a week on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at noon. Creating friendships and access to senior resources are priorities.
Through a partnership with the City of Rifle Recreation Department, the center is able to offer many trips throughout the year. From Grand Junction Rockies Baseball games to the Glenwood Springs Concert Series, there are outings to suit any interest. There are also a variety of activities inside the Senior Center from exercise classes to card games.
“Providing a social environment for active adults to participate, communicate and interact is of most importance. We do our best to offer programs that attract all adults,” states Tami Sours, Senior Center Director. One glance into the center on any given day demonstrates that the mission is a success. Smiles abound, and the atmosphere is undeniably upbeat.
The Rifle Senior Center is located at 50 Ute Avenue and is open from 8:00 am- 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. You can find more information on their Facebook page or at rifleco.org or by calling 970-665-6540. Don’t miss the opportunity to engage with fellow senior citizens. Rifle is fortunate to have such a valuable resource so why not take advantage?