Have you been to the Linda Kerley Center lately? The center for Collierville seniors opened in November of 2017 and was named for the late Mayor Linda Kerley. The center was open only three years when the pandemic came to town, but even in such a short time, it has become the go to spot for seniors to gather together for games, crafts or just to have coffee and talk.
Since 2021 didn’t bring the immediate relief from COVID that everyone had hoped, the LKC offered very limited programming from January through the end of March, according to Recreation Program Coordinator Lisa Gaither. By April, the majority of their regular programs were back in place. These regular programs at LKC include Senior Exercise, Chair Yoga, Pickleball, Bingo, Cards, Bridge, Dominoes, and the Senior Studio creative art programs provided through the nonprofit Creative Aging. Most of these programs are ongoing year-round and are promoted via flyers, Facebook, Town information and emails.
“Participants are generally excited about having a place to come to and participate in a variety of activities,” said Gaither. “We have many people who take part in 3-4 different programs, and then we have some that may come to just one activity a week. Again, it depends on the interest and activity level of each individual, as well other activities they are involved with like their church, family and friends.”
The Linda Kerley Center has definitely had a positive impact on the community. Regulars were very glad that the center stayed open during the majority of the time since the pandemic started, as it has been a safe, comfortable and clean place where they could have fellowship and avoid the social isolation that COVID exacerbated. It offered them a place to exercise or play pickleball and stay in shape, and it gave them a learning environment where they could develop new interests in the creative arts.
“The Center is a happy place when you hear laughing and yelling in the gym when the pickleball players are excited about scoring; lots of chatter from a group of card players and then a big laugh because someone said something funny, and someone yelling ‘Bingo!’ out loud for their first bingo,” said Gaither. “People meet and tell each other stories over lunch, or they gather in groups of five or six in the gym to visit before or after the exercise programs. They often leave together, still talking and laughing. So yes, the facility is an extremely valuable asset to the community, and it makes an impact on a daily basis for many people!”
The Linda Kerley Center is open Monday – Friday, from 8 am to 4 pm. It is located at 176 College Street, with the entrance on the north side of the building, facing the Poplar/Peterson Lake intersection.
