Celine Mauger has taken the reins as operations manager of the Blaine Community Center/Senior Center.
The city of Blaine granted full management to Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 (BBBPRD2) on July 1, and the parks district named Mauger, the former activity and marketing coordinator for BBBPRD2, as operations manager for this new chapter.
Just days into BBBPRD2’s tenure running the senior/community center facility at 763 G Street, Mauger wrote to The Northern Light that the quick transition has been “a whirlwind, but also incredibly exciting.”
“We are truly honored to be in this role,” Mauger wrote. “Everyone at the senior center has been so welcoming, which has made the transition feel really positive.”
Mauger said she and the BBBPRD2 team hope to build upon the strong foundation of programming and community engagement for seniors, while expanding on recreation opportunities for seniors and non-seniors alike.
“We are absolutely committed to honoring the tradition of the senior center,” Mauger wrote. “As long as members want to keep the current programs and classes, we will continue offering them.”
One of the most noticeable changes will involve BBBPRD2 using the facilities after 5 p.m. for non-senior related activities that will be open to the community. The ability to schedule classes in Blaine after the senior center would normally be closed is a boon for the Birch Bay-headquartered parks department that has been looking for more venues within Blaine’s city limits.
Mauger said she is working on reinstating monthly community dinners by August, additional Friday line dancing classes will begin in September, and a new trainer will be resuming gym orientation sessions and strength training classes for seniors.
Mauger said she is working on building trust between senior center members and the parks department, which includes multiple visits a week to the center, getting to know the members, and introducing them to BBBPRD2 staff.
“With the structure and experience we have in place, we are confident we can offer even more programming and opportunities for connection,” Mauger wrote. “We live here, we care about this place, and we truly want to see both the senior center and our community as a whole thrive. I believe that commitment will speak for itself.”
For more information about senior center programming, visit bbbparkandrec.org/seniorprograms.
Correction: This article was updated on July 10 to correct that BBBPRD2 named Celine Mauger as operations manager and to clarify that BBBPRD2 will open the center to the community. It was also updated to clarify the name of the Blaine Community Center/Senior Center. We regret the errors.
