Fresno Breaks Ground on First Senior Activity Center | Powered by Measure P
The City of Fresno has officially broken ground on its first dedicated citywide Senior Activity Center, a project decades in the making – and one made possible by Measure P, the voter-approved initiative that Fresno BHC helped co-author, defend, and win.
Located at 4343 N Blackstone Avenue, this 35,000-square-foot, $41 million facility represents a promise kept to our seniors, our community, and the residents who stood with us to demand the investments Fresno has long deserved.
A Win for Seniors – And the Entire Community
Designed directly with input from local seniors, the new Senior Activity Center will offer a wide range of year-round programming to support health, wellness, creativity, and connection. When complete, the facility will feature:
- Heated pool for year-round aquatics
- Full fitness center and separate aerobics room
- Multi-use classrooms and art spaces
- Pickleball and bocce ball courts
- Gardening areas
- Gathering spaces for events and socializing
It will be operated by the City of Fresno PARCS Department and open to all Fresno residents age 60 and older, with accessibility and comfort built into every detail.
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Fresno BHC2025-03-18 10:58:572025-05-06 20:41:57Measure P is a Statement and Now It’s Time to ActThe Road to Groundbreaking and the Role of Fresno BHC
This moment didn’t happen by accident. Without Fresno BHC, Measure P (and this Senior Activity Center) would not exist.
We co-authored Measure P. We organized community outreach. We knocked on doors and canvased neighborhoods. We built the coalition that got it approved by Fresno voters in 2018.
When the City of Fresno tried to block it – arguing it needed a supermajority to pass – we took to them to court. And we won. The court ruled what we already knew: the people had spoken, and Measure P was the law.
Even after that victory, it took years for the City of Fresno to start putting Measure P dollars to work on major projects like this one. Meanwhile, they continue to fight us in court over legal fees tied to that very battle. Yet today, city leaders stand at the podium celebrating the very measure they once opposed.
We’re glad they’re finally on board, but we need to be clear:
The credit belongs to the community that fought for Measure P from day one.
What Leaders Said at the Groundbreaking
The groundbreaking brought together city leaders, advocates, and community members to mark this milestone. Mayor Jerry Dyer acknowledged the critical role of Measure P funding:
“We utilized $11.8 million in Measure P dollars. We are very grateful for Measure P in our city and what it’s allowing us to do with parks and recreation centers.”
“We as a council and administration, and my team, we remain steadfast in being able to deliver on the promise that we made to have a state-of-the-art senior center right here on this property – and I promise you … there will be no other center like it in the entire Central Valley. This will be the best.”
District 4 Councilmember Tyler Maxwell spoke about Fresno’s commitment to inclusivity – a vision Fresno BHC has championed for years:
“Part of what makes Fresno great, part of our identity, is our willingness and desire to see everybody in our community uplifted. That’s what Mayor Dyer calls our One Fresno vision. It’s our collective goal at City Hall to make sure that everybody across the Fresno community is looked after and cared for, regardless of what zip code you live in, regardless of what background you come from, and even regardless of what generation you were born into.”
“Our commitment to our seniors is a serious one and a strong one, which is why today we are dedicating this $41 million, 35,0000-square-foot project to all of you.”
District 7 Councilmember Nelson Esparza highlighted the importance of investing into the community:
“Behind every policy and every budget decision that we make at City Hall, there are real people, waiting for the city that they built to invest back into them. Today, we are breaking ground on a promise that was years in the making. An investment in the very people who laid Fresno’s foundation from Day 1. We made it a top priority to ensure Fresno seniors are going to have a place of their own.”
We appreciate these words, and Fresno BHC’s values have always aligned with this vision. The only difference is that we act on those values every day, not just when it’s politically convenient.
Why the Senior Activity Center Matters
Fresno’s senior population has been growing for more than a decade, but public resources haven’t kept up. Until now, there has never been a dedicated city-operated senior center in Fresno. Most programs have been scattered across multipurpose spaces or offered in limited formats.
This center changes that. It creates a place where seniors can stay physically active, learn new skills and engage in creative projects, connect with friends and reduce isolation, and become part of a vibrant community.
This is exactly what Measure P was designed to do: make long-term investments that improve quality of life and strengthen neighborhoods across Fresno.
What’s Next
Construction is set to begin soon, and the City of Fresno will provide progress updates as the project moves toward opening. At Fresno BHC, we will continue to:
- Monitor and report on how Measure P funds are spent
- Advocate transparency and community-led decision-making
- Ensure projects reflect the needs and values of residents
With continued community engagement, Measure P will deliver even more critical projects in the years ahead.
Join Us in the Work
If you support projects like the Senior Activity Center, then you’re a part of this movement – and we need you to stay engaged.
- Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on Measure P projects
- Follow Fresno BHC on social media for alerts and events
- Support our mission so we can keep fighting for investments that put community first
A safe, healthy Fresno is possible – because the people demanded it. Join us, and let’s keep building it together.
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