PACOIMA : New Seniors Center to House 2 Facilities

A new senior citizens center that will bring two existing facilities under one roof is under construction in Pacoima.

Two attached buildings on Glenoaks Boulevard will house the Pacoima Multipurpose Senior Citizens Center and the Pacoima Senior Citizens For United Concern facility, making it possible for seniors to seek a variety of services at one site.

“This is a much-needed facility in the northeast San Fernando Valley,” said Frank Catania of the Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation’s Planning and Development Division, which is in charge of construction.

The building is about 85% completed and is expected to open by July 1, according to Catania. Thousands of seniors from the northeast Valley are expected to take advantage of the combined centers, he said.

Situated on two acres, the 15,000-square-foot complex will contain a facility to care for the frail elderly, an auditorium for recreation, several small rooms for counseling, and a multipurpose room for nutrition programs.

Other social service organizations that focus on the needs of the elderly have also been asked to consider joining the two senior centers in the new building, and several community organizations have already expressed interest, Catania said.

“As of right now, we have two senior citizens centers in Pacoima, and when we combine, we’ll be able to streamline,” said Ethel May, director of the Pacoima Senior Citizens for United Concern center. “We’ll provide more services, and we’ll be able to refer people to each other more easily.”

The Pacoima Senior Citizens For United Concern center, on Glenoaks Boulevard, provides classes, trips, lectures, health screenings and counseling for seniors. The Multipurpose Senior Citizens Center, on Van Nuys Boulevard, mostly provides health care for frail elderly on an outpatient basis.

A full-time director will be assigned to coordinate the blending of the groups into one building, and will also be in charge of creating new programs, said Gat Lum of the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Special Facility Services, which includes senior activities.

May said the Senior Citizens For United Concern center would like to add shuffleboard, light dancing programs and an exercise room in the new facility.