When Plano’s Senior Recreation Center, which opened in 1997, reopened in 2019, not only was a complete overhaul of the facility revealed, the name was changed to Sam Johnson Recreation Center for Adults 50+.

“It was very important for our senior population that they didn't want to be classified as seniors. They voted for this name,” Kristie Bell, city of Plano recreation specialist and supervisor of the center said. “Nowadays, at 50 years old, [people] don't feel like a senior. This isn’t a place for people who aren't active and involved.”

What they offer

While walking through the halls of the center, sounds of live jazz music often intermingle with the clicking of pool balls and celebratory shouts of “Bingo!”

“There's a little bit of something for everybody,” Bell said. “We have people that do chess club, cards, dominoes, arts and crafts, sewing and knitting. We have veterans groups, walking groups, classes on how to do iPhones, computer work, how to stop from being scammed. We just have a tremendous amount of activities.”


Bell said the top attended classes are fitness classes, such as yoga, dance and pilates. Art classes like watercolor, sketching and violin are also popular.

In addition to classes, members can use the 2,800-square-foot cardio and weight room, billiards room and lounge during operating hours.

What else?

The center offers trips to places like Ham Orchard in Terrell, Magnolia Market in Waco, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, museums and more. Transportation via the center’s passenger vans or luxury coach buses are provided.


“One of the biggest draws is that people can sit back, relax, visit with each other, meet new friends, have an experience, and not have to worry about figuring out [how to get there],,” Bell said.. “It's really just taking all of the guesswork out of it and letting you just enjoy the experience and making friends or taking old friends with you.”

Who it’s for

Anyone 50 years of age or older can become a member. Plano residents pay $15 for the year and nonresidents pay $25 for the year.

What’s special about it?


Bell said patrons glean many health benefits from being active at the center but she believes mental health is one of the biggest due to the connectedness that develops.

“[A patron] and his wife just lived to come to the dances—they came every Tuesday night, and they would tear up that dance floor,” Bell said. “When he passed away, his daughter reached out to us and was so complimentary and thankful of how this facility impacted their family and their life. It's a heartbreaking story, and at the same time, it shows the love and the level of interconnectedness of our patrons and our staff.”