In three years, Badnek said that number has grown to 60. The Conroe Senior Center is located in Candy Cane Park and allows individuals who are age 60 and older to gather in community over activities and food for free.
According to Recreation Specialist Elizabeth Anderson, Conroe took over the center in 2019 from Meals on Wheels. Seniors were independently hosting activities out of the center before the city of Conroe turned it into the Conroe Senior Center.
The center offers a variety of group activities from group exercise classes and nutrition classes to bingo, dominoes, chair volleyball and senior dance night.
The Senior Center partners with Meals on Wheels Montgomery County, which provides transportation to the center as well as meals Mondays-Thursdays.
“A lot of them don’t have families; a lot of them are alone,” Badnek said. “So I know at least four days a week they get a really good meal; they get to eat with other people and have fellowship, which is really important.”
According to Anderson, the center faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. She said the biggest challenge was being closed for nearly five months.
During that time, the center navigated those challenges by sending activity packets to homebound clients and hosting parking lot bingo in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
However, Badnek said she is very proud of the growth the center has made over the years. On Nov. 17, the center held its annual Thanksgiving feast.
Anderson said last year, a total of 60 seniors attended the event. Meanwhile, Badnek said 95 guests participated this year.
“I hope that one day we are having to ask for a new building,” Anderson said. “There are so many [seniors] in our community that need a place, so I feel like once they find [the center] here, it’s going to continue to grow.”
Serving Seniors
The Conroe Senior Center is actively looking for volunteers in the following areas: greeters, helping in the kitchen/food service, sssisting with special events and program/activity instructors.
Interested candidates can contact Amanda Badnek at 936-522-3950, email [email protected] or stop by the Conroe Senior Center to volunteer.
Conroe Senior Center
1202 Candy Cane Lane, Conroe
936-522-3950
Hours: Mon.-Thu. 8 a.m.-1 p.m., closed Fri-Sun.
