Years of hope and planning have finally become a tangible reality for the Senior Community Center of Owensboro-Daviess County, as officials revealed a rendering for a brand-new facility expected to break ground in the coming weeks.
Senior Center Director David Tucker said the project has been a long time coming, and he shared his enthusiasm during a press conference Tuesday announcing that Hayden Construction had been awarded the contract, with design work led by Axiom Designs.
“Today is a great day for the Senior Community Center,” Tucker said. “We’ve talked for years about a new center in Owensboro. We’re hoping to start construction soon and plan for a move-in before the end of 2026.”
The new facility will be located on an eight-acre lot at the corner of 2nd and Carter streets, adjacent to the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden. The 23,000-square-foot building will feature an expansive single-level layout, eliminating the need for stairs or elevators—a much-requested amenity by center members.
Amenities include a larger auditorium and upgraded fitness spaces. Outside, a third-of-a-mile walking trail is planned, and Tucker said they hope to partner with the Botanical Garden to enhance the surrounding greenspace.
“This will be a place the entire community can utilize as we all eventually get to the age of 60 and over,” Tucker said. “Our seniors have been waiting for years for a new building. A lot of them have said they never believed it would really happen until now.”
The project is being funded in large part by local government, with $5 million committed from the City of Owensboro and Daviess County Fiscal Court. Additionally, the Fiscal Court has pledged another $500,000 in matching funds, and the Senior Center has been actively fundraising to secure that extra amount to allow for potential upgrades.
The existing Senior Center, located in a repurposed school building, has long served the community but lacks the infrastructure to meet modern needs. While the building is owned by the City, no future use has been determined once the new center is complete.
Senior Center Board Chair Pam Smith-Wright, who’s been involved in planning efforts for more than a decade, said the project represents a true community investment — not just in current seniors, but future ones as well.
“We’ve been waiting for this for over 14 years,” Smith-Wright said. “This is for our seniors, but also for the city and for the seniors of the future. This building is going to be here for a while, so we wanted to make sure it had all the things it needed.”
One feature Smith-Wright said she personally advocated for was a small chapel near the building’s entrance.
“Seniors sometimes just need a peaceful place to sit, pray, or reflect,” she said. “As soon as you walk in, there will be a chapel there. I’m really proud of that.”
The Senior Center offers a range of free services to Daviess County residents age 60 and older, including transportation to medical appointments and grocery stores, as well as in-house recreational, educational, and fitness programs.
Tucker emphasized that the goal is to build not just a facility, but a second home.
“We offer a place to stay active, to learn, and to build friendships,” he said. “This new center will give us the space and features to serve seniors even better for decades to come.”
Groundbreaking is expected to take place later this spring, with construction anticipated to last approximately 18 months.
