“It’s a community center—[open to] 18 and older,” Dillon said. “But during the day, it is all seniors. But they’re all retired. And a lot of seniors are moving into the area. Today [Nov. 15], I could show you four or five people that are new, which is wonderful.”
Dillon said when she joined the Tomball Community Center, it was not very busy.
“Mainly 50 to 60 people [were] coming through here in five days,” Dillon said. “That was it.”
In the eight years since becoming the manager, Dillon said the community center has grown to 350-400 visitors in a typical week.
Besides the regular weekly offerings, Dillon said the center has special events several times a month, which can include holiday celebrations, bunko and treats, bingo and lunch, and live music.
“It is really heartwarming when they say to me, ‘I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have this place to come to,’” Dillon said.
Dillon said the card games, dominoes and dance classes are some of the center’s most popular offerings.
Magnolia resident Nancy Johnston, who runs the Seniors on the Go at Tomball Community Center Facebook page, said she started attending around the time Dillon started and enjoys the card games and dominoes.
“But most of all, I like the fellowship,” Johnston said. “We just enjoy each other’s company. We go to lunch together and do stuff. It’s wonderful for seniors, especially when they’re alone.”
Tomball Community Center
221 Market St., Tomball
281-255-6221
www.tomballtx.gov
Hours: Mon.-Thu. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Fri. 8 a.m.-4 p.m., closed Sat.-Sun.
