While campaigning in Randallstown in November, County Executive Johnny Olszewski joked he told his staff that the renovated Woodlawn Senior Center absolutely had to open in December.
Olszewski, who was a virtual shoo-in to win the open 2nd Congressional District seat, would be heading to Washington, D.C., and wanted to make sure the center’s ribbon cutting was held before he was sworn in Jan. 3, 2025, as part of the new 119th Congress.
Officials broke ground in February 2023, and the center, located in the heart of Woodlawn Village at 2120 Gwynn Oak Drive, was expected to open in early 2024.
But finally, after months of construction delays, on Dec. 18 Olszewski joined state and local elected officials, Department of Aging leadership and local seniors to publicly debut the long-awaited renovated center.
“Investing in these centers creates more equitable opportunities for our county’s seniors, helping to ensure our neighbors can stay active and connected with sports and fitness, art and social events, and age in place,” Olszewski said in his remarks.”
Attendees were excited to experience a center nearly tripled in size from approximately 3,600 square feet to 9,200 square feet. With one primary room and about 1,100 members registered, the space now features a large multipurpose room that can accommodate parties and celebrations, two pickleball courts, line dancing, and aerobics classes. There is a new fitness room, two additional classrooms, increased storage and office space for senior council members. The parking capacity for visitors has doubled to 50 spaces.
It was a dream of Doris Douglass, the popular first senior council president who has championed the project for years, that the center focus on activities for active adults and not operate as babysitting. She, and other officers such as former president Charolene Oliver, and seniors spoke went before the planning board and stressed to county officials that the small space physically and emotionally restricted their potential.
Renovating and constructing senior centers is part of county’s continued efforts to support the county’s aging population. Olszewski noted other achievements: County Ride expanded, No One Eats Alone meal program to combat isolation, and BCAUSE (Baltimore County Age-Friendly Upgrades for Seniors), which assists older county residents in safely remaining in their homes.
Woodlawn Senior Center is one of 20 senior centers operated by the county that serve 10,000 registered members. Established in 2005, it underwent a 1,500-square-foot expansion in 2008 but was still in need of space and updated amenities. The adjacent community center remained open and was used as an early voting site, but visitors and voters had to navigate the surrounding construction zone to get to the entrance. During the construction, the center activities moved to the Morning Star Baptist Church Education Center on Security
Funding for the $8.1 million project came from the state and county as well as an $800,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Aging.
There are no membership fees to join, but there may be charges for classes and activities. Membership is open to Baltimore County residents aged 60 and over. Other information can be found here, by emailing [email protected] or calling 410-887-6887.
From left are director of the Baltimore County Department of Aging Heang Tan, unidentified worker in hat, county administrator, Councilman Pat Young, Delegate Sheila Ruth, Council Chair Izzy Patoka, County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Councilman Julian Jones, Senator Charles Sydnor and Delegate Eric Ebersole. Photo: Janet Anderson