Senior center and apartment expansion open in Henderson

Three days before moving into the Pacific Pines 4 Senior Apartments, Kathryn Stickler and a friend were accosted by two men near her home.

"They knocked my front tooth out," Stickler said. "When something like that happens, you lose your security."

With the opening of Pacific Pines 4 Senior Apartments and the Downtown Senior Center, 27 E. Texas Ave., Stickler is regaining her self-esteem and confidence.

On March 29, the city of Henderson, along with Nevada HAND, a nonprofit with a mission of improving the lives of low-income individuals, celebrated the opening of the new senior facilities.

The Pacific Pines facility incudes 62 one- and two-bedroom apartments for low-income seniors, while the new 6,000-square-foot senior center offers programing and amenities such as a fitness room open to all 50 or older.

"Every amenity that is offered at our Heritage Park Senior Facility will be offered here," said Henderson City Councilwoman Gerri Schroder, referring to the senior center that opened in 2009 at 300 S. Racetrack Road.

Schroder added that the center offers everything from wellness programs to food programs sponsored by nutrition grants.

Mary Ellen Donner, d irector of the Parks and Recreation Department for the city , said this project was many years in the making.

"I know people were sad to see the old facility go," Donner said. "But with every ending, there is always a new beginning."

The former Downtown Senior Center was torn down shortly after the Heritage Park Senior Center opened.

"I remember back in 2009 when we opened the new Heritage Park Senior Center and six months later we closed (the former downtown center)," Schroder said. "People wondered if we would open it back up even though there was a new, state-of-the-art center."

But then Schroder figured it out.

"This is your neighborhood," Schroder said. "You want something convenient for you. I'm glad we delivered on a promise from more than a year ago."

Construction on the new facility began in 2011.

"It is great to be 50-plus in the city of Henderson," Henderson Mayor Andy Hafen said. "We love our seniors, and I am one of them."

In addition to adding more senior amenities to the community, Hafen said he was excited to see sustainability practices implemented in another building, which includes photovoltaic solar energy, LED exterior lighting, high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment, solar hot water panels and high-efficiency condensing boilers.

Everyone who spoke at the opening agreed that the project was a testament to the partnership involved.

"Talk about partnership," said Michael Mullin, the founder and president of Nevada HAND. "It takes a partnership like this to serve low-income seniors."

Hafen said the land is owned by the city, which is leasing it back to Nevada HAND for 99 years.

Nevada HAND is then leasing a portion of the complex back to the city for the same term for purposes of operating the senior center.

Nevada HAND applied for federal low-income housing credits to carry the project out.

The Downtown Senior Center is expected to be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday.

Stickler is already spending time inside the facility.

"I'm getting used to all the activities that are being offered," Stickler said. "I am thankful for the ability to practice living my senior life."

The Pacific Pines 4 leasing office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 130 E. Pacific Ave.

For more information, call
410-2777.

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.