Built in 1988, the Manteca Senior Center had many outdated items including, for example, maroon, pink and blue walls; a leaky roof; floors that looked dirty no matter how hard the team scrubbed them; and an obsolete kitchen. 

“It was all outdated and needed an upgrade. That’s all changed now,” said Brandy Clark, Manteca’s Recreation Services Manager.

The total cost for the Manteca Senior Center on Cherry Lane next door to the Manteca Police Department was $2.3 million.

The 10,000-plus square-foot, multi-purpose Senior Center serves adults and seniors aged 50 and above throughout the greater Manteca area from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

After 3 p.m. on weekends the Manteca Senior Center becomes the most used multipurpose facility under City of Manteca control, serving 1,500 to 5,000 people a month.

The City Council initiated the remodel with federal Community Development Block Grant (CBDG) funds.

New carpet has been installed and a new stained concrete floor has replaced the old dirty-looking vinyl tile.

“The new floors really made a difference,” said Clark. “Some of our seniors were afraid that the concrete would be slippery and make them fall. They quickly learned that the traction is actually better than it was on the tile surface.

“Both the community and City Council were extremely pleased with the first round of changes; as a result, the City Council and the City Manager decided to fix all of the Center’s problems in order to deliver an outstanding experience for the City’s growing population.”

In the second phase, the City renovated the lobby and restrooms and painted over the maroon, blue and pink walls with fresh gray and white paint, throughout. 

“This really brightened up the facility and made it so much more pleasing to the eye,” said Clark.

The City Council funded Phase III by using Community Development Block Grant CBDG funds along with City capital improvement funds.

 A new roof replaced the old one, which had leaked for years. New air-conditioning, ventilation and heating, along with a complete kitchen renovation were part of Phase III, along with updated audio-visual system technology.

Perhaps most important, the center made major strides in meeting accessibility standards mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The remodel also repaired drainage problems in the kitchen and brought the fire suppression system over the stove up to the new code standards. The front desk has been retrofitted to better serve handicapped visitors and workers.

The City installed new drinking fountains with two fill-up levels and a drinking bottle filler.

New interior and exterior doors, door handles and mechanisms ensure handicapped access compliance and now meets new fire code standards. 

“The old exterior doors stuck, were heavy, and hard to move. The new doors are easy to use and have handicapped access door openers. It is so much easier for our seniors to get in and out of the building now,” Clark said.

“It all brings a new, updated look and feel to the Center,” she continued. “Modern technology includes a new ceiling-mounted projector, an up-to-date projection screen, and a sound system with cordless microphones. New stage curtains brighten up the viewing room.”

Over 100 volunteers donate more than 10,000 hours every year in service to the Manteca Senior Center. The Center still provides many volunteer opportunities.

For more information on classes, events or rentable spaces call the Senior Center at  (209) 456-8650.