Coleman seniors rejoice as new center opens its doors

COLEMAN, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – For more than a year, Coleman seniors have been without a senior center and Meals on Wheels office after the previous building flooded in 2024. Now the new building has opened its doors wide to the community, welcoming seniors back to a safe space.

The building was donated by Darrin Black in April 2025, and with help from the community, it was rebuilt over many months.

This week marks the second week of its opening. Regular Shorty Bowers said the center was needed because it fosters community.

“It was kind of devastating because it was our meeting place, and we got together to fellowship. We love the fellowship, and the food’s good too,” Bowers said. “It’s absolutely a necessity. It’s a necessity because you need to be with other people and be able to discuss your blessings.”

While the new building might look like just a set of four walls, Board President Sharon Hicks said it is much more than that for the community.

“It is so important because we know if we miss one of our seniors, that’s a normal regular, we can check on them and we can make sure they’re okay. It gives us the opportunity for them not to be isolated,” Hicks said. “Now they have a place to come and fellowship. We do the pledge, we do prayer, we do community, we do puzzles. It gave them back their freedom, their independence, and it gives them back camaraderie.”

Hicks said seeing the plan finally come to fruition gave her great joy.

“We had over 220 donors donate either money or in time, whether it was labor, materials, or things of that nature. So, when they say that generosity is dead, not in Coleman County and the surrounding area, it is alive and well,” Hicks said.

There will be an open house event for the senior center from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on November 2.