As part of the renovations, the city installed a new, larger fitness facility, additional classrooms and more parking spaces. The Sam Johnson Recreation Center, which used to be a free building open to senior adults, now requires low-cost memberships instead, said Raney Krev, recreation supervisor who manages the facility.
“We did anticipate some feedback on having a membership,” Krev said. “But actually, it’s been the complete opposite. It’s been wonderful feedback about having a membership for residents and nonresidents.”
The recreation center had about 400 core members before it closed for the construction work, Krev said. By the end of June, about three months after the project was finished, the recreation center had roughly 3,000 members, she said.
Since the reopening, daytime foot traffic has been highest in the mornings—particularly for the new fitness room, Krev said. More than 100 members also show up for the Tuesday night dance, a social gathering that alternates between ballroom and western dance styles.
The senior center has also seen an infusion of younger members since it rebranded itself as a facility for adults age 50 and older, Krev said. She said this may be partly driven by memberships costing $15 a year for Plano residents and $25 a year for nonresidents, which is significantly cheaper than private gym memberships.
“We’re also seeing those seniors that are above the age of 70 that want to come and work out as well and stay fit, and this is a good outlet for them,” Krev said.
The expanded classroom space has allowed staff to provide multiple education and art classes at the same time, Krev said. Before, the senior center’s various class offerings were more spread out, and many classes could not be offered at peak hours, she said.
Parking was also a big need before the construction project, Krev said. Although foot traffic was lower before the project, the parking available was already inadequate for the senior center’s more popular weekly events.
