A northern Baltimore County senior center is slated to triple in size with a nearly $19 million expansion that broke ground Tuesday. The Jacksonville Senior Center in Phoenix was in need of more space to serve its 1,500 active members. The new facility, expected to be completed by summer 202 7, will span 17,00 square feet. “This new senior center shows our commitment to meeting the needs of active older adults in Baltimore County who want to stay engaged as they grow,” Baltimore County Executive Katherine Klausmeier said in a statement. “This is about creating a space that brings people together and supports healthy aging so that our community is made stronger.” The expanded senior center will include a multi-purpose room able to seat more than 200 people for meals, gatherings and pickleball; a fitness room three-times larger than the current fitness center; three classrooms that allow one classroom to be divided into two individual classrooms; a game lounge room; a commercial kitchen; and an outdoor patio. It will also be LEED Silver certified and include solar panels. “This is an exciting moment for Baltimore County and for this community,” said Heang K. Tan, director of the county’s Department of Aging. “This project reflects what we’ve heard from residents and our commitment to delivering on that feedback. As we look ahead, this center represents our vision for the future—supporting healthy and active aging, fostering connection, and helping older adults remain engaged and independent.” “A new and expanded Senior Center for Jacksonville will help make the invaluable and much needed senior services available for this growing population,” said Baltimore County Councilman Wade Kach, whose District 3 seat includes the Jacksonville Senior Center. The center is open to seniors age 60 and older. There is no membership fee. ...read more read less