Flower Mound senior citizens have formed a non-profit charitable corporation to participate in development of improved facilities and programs for the Seniors in Motion.  Their leaders hope to work with Flower Mound Town officials to design and build a 17,000 square foot center that can accommodate multiple simultaneous activities. The Seniors in Motion group now utilizes an approximately 1,800 square feet meeting room in the Flower Mound Community Activities Center called the Golden Lounge.  They are able to have meals, cards, bingo, socials and educational functions for 65 people or so.  But, as use of the facility increases, crowding and the limitations have made the need for a free-standing facility more obvious say senior leaders.  "It's like Yogi Berra said 'Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded,'" joked Paul Foutch, vice president of SIM Auxiliary, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) organization set up to accept tax-deductible contributions to support Seniors in Motion.  

     Formation of SIM Auxiliary began in June and already the organization is able to receive donations that will be used to furnish and equip the center.  The organization held a meeting Monday to gather input from approximately 20 seniors about what they would like to see in a new facility. The seniors are confident they will have the support they need on the Flower Mound Town Council.  Councilman Tom Hayden was vocal in support of better senior facilities when he successfully campaigned for office in April.  Mayor Jody Smith was so involved in the start-up of Seniors in Motion that many of its early meetings and activities took place in her home.  Mayor Pro Tem Jean Levenick has expressed support for building a separate center. "Everyone wants us to have it," said Mary Kay Walker, president of the SIM Auxiliary. "Now it's just a matter of money."  She's hopeful that as seniors and their supporters actively work to raise money it will increase urgency and build support for a terrific facility that will not only better serve existing participants, but attract many new users.  

     Walker points out that seniors involved in activities at the center are providing lots of volunteer service and leadership for Flower Mound and surrounding areas.  During a visit with the News Connection she and others described their participation in Wild about Flower Mound Festival, Christian Community Action, Friends of the Family, hospitals and polling stations.  "We give back to the community; we are an asset to the town," said Walker. For Walker and others working to build the new center there is a sense of urgency. They are afraid that if it takes too long, many of their friends won't be around to enjoy the new facilities. The Community Activity Center, bustling with activity in its meeting rooms, gymnasium, swimming pools, indoor track and fitness facilities, brings in a steady stream of young people.  If the seniors move out, they expect the space they vacate to quickly be absorbed into other uses.   

     Seniors have visited spacious senior centers in nearby communities like Coppell, Lewisville, Irving, Roanoke, Plano, Allen and McKinney. They point out that a nice senior facility, set up with a full kitchen, meeting rooms, dance floors and lounge areas could have use for banquets, wedding receptions and other important social events for the community at large, not just seniors.  But if it is built as a senior center, it will have senior-friendly features like easy access and proximity to parking. The Town of Flower Mound Parks, Art and Library Services Board will likely be the group to determine the location of the new center.  Seniors meeting with the News Connection look longingly to town-owned property just east of the CAC which could take advantage of existing utilities, parking and staff.  Not only that, a big picture window on the east side of the building would provide a view dominated by a lovely grove of trees.