Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the temperature of the facility's indoor heated pool.

When the McKinney Senior Recreation Center opened in June 2002, about 100 people regularly attended the center. The facility now sees an average of 240 visits a day, Senior Recreation Center Supervisor Laura Cegelski said.

The center, which saw a $5 million expansion project completed in 2021, now sees more than 3,200 active memberships and over 85,000 visits annually.

“With the growing population in McKinney, people are wanting to be more active,” Cegelski said.

What they offer


The center is filled with activities, ranging from a puzzle station and a billiards room, to classes teaching line dancing and a round of bingo.

Weekly classes and workshops are held focusing on creative activities such as painting, quilting, machine embroidery, sewing, woodcarving and other crafts. Cegelski said the classes, some led by volunteers, help members find new skills and pursuits.

“They discover those hidden talents that they never knew that they had because they had to focus on work all their life,” she said.

The facility offers a variety of fitness classes ranging from low- to high-intensity, with focuses on strength, balance and endurance, Tai Chi, yoga and more.


Members can also participate in dance classes and sports such as ping pong, chair volleyball and pickleball. In addition to classes, members can use the facility’s fitness room featuring more than 20 pieces of equipment.

The center also offers day trips to places like Winstar Casino, traveling Broadway performances, sporting events, museums and more. Members are also able to access onsite resources like a library with books and DVDs; computers with internet access; a printer and a copier. Some wellness services, including preventative health care screenings, vision and hearing testing and other programs, are also offered at the facility.

Cegelski said the center develops programming for members through evaluation of trends, but also by receiving input from members.

“We listen to the members ... and try to pitch [their] ideas in our brainstorming session and see if it's something that we can accommodate,” Cegelski said.


What else?

The facility is also home to the McKinney Senior Pool, an indoor heated pool with two lap lanes.

Aquatics Supervisor Griffin White said the pool is kept at about 86 degrees and features a ramp entry. Open swim hours are hosted that people of all ages can attend, but the center also offers designated swim times for adults age 50 and older.

The center’s water fitness classes held in the pool are popular low-impact fitness options for members of the Senior Recreation Center, White said.


“We get a lot of doctor recommendations to take water exercise so we hear a lot of our patrons tell us about how this has really helped them, and how we're really mending some of those wounds they may have,” he said.

Who it’s for

Anyone 50 years of age or older can become a member, but special rates are offered for McKinney residents, which make up about 75% of the facility’s members, Cegelski said. The center also offers day passes for $5.
“We do offer a pretty low cost option at the center, and it's affordable, and it's got a lot of amenities for our members,” White said

What’s special about it?


Cegelski said patrons can increase their activity and gain community from participating in programs at the center, but can also find a new purpose and passion.

“This is their home away from home,” she said. “This is where they come to play. This is where they come to socialize and meet new friends. This is a place where they come to utilize the recreation services that are provided to them ... This is where they can find their next purpose”