Burke-Springfield Center for Active Adults opens

It may have been decades in the making, but once the new Burke-Springfield Center for Active Adults opened its doors on Aug. 11, they stayed open, inviting those age 50 and over to participate in a sampling of activities. Prior to the August opening, Springfield District was the only managerial district in Fairfax County without a brick and mortar community senior center. Springfield has been operating a community senior center without walls since 2009. On Aug. 5, they transitioned to a different sort of temporary center; one with walls. The new active adult center serves the district with recreational programming and community activities at the Huntsman Square Shopping Center in leased space. 

The retail space, formerly occupied by Dress Barn, was reconfigured to create an open gathering area and multipurpose classroom space, with storage and administrative offices. Within about 8,000 square feet, the center will provide opportunities for adults age 50 and older to engage in a wide range of recreation, education and enrichment programs. The first month’s activity calendar includes: games, such as Bingo, Bridge, Bunco, Chess, Cribbage, Farkle, Mahjong, Scrabble, and Rummy; arts, such as card making, creative writing, origami, scrapbooking and watercolor painting; classes, such as computer skills; strength and balance fitness training; and interest group gathering for knitting and crocheting. The center supports family community programs.

The concept of a senior center for Springfield District was championed over many years by community activist, author, and former diplomat and candidate, Corozon Foley. She and others formed a small group with a passion for organizing senior activities. They worked with county staff to hold “without walls” programs at area community centers, churches and libraries, which grew in popularity over the years. 

Foley, in particular, kept up pressure on county politicians; accusing the Board of not moving fast enough. Foley ran for a seat on the Board of Supervisors two times, unsuccessfully, as a third party candidate, primarily to focus attention on establishing a center. 

County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay, speaking at the opening event commented, “It was acutely obvious that you needed a permanent place.” He called the opening “a happy moment.” Speaking to the crowd of 200 to 300, he said, “None of us would be here without the tenacity of several who continued to press for activities to engage people who have long lived here.” Along with acknowledging Foley’s work, McKay acknowledged the efforts of former county staff members Cheryl Laferty and Dorothy Keenan who started the idea of senior activity programs 15-20 years ago. 

Present at the ribbon cutting ceremony, Foley continues to push for a permanent, county-owned senior and community center, similar to those in communities, such as Lorton. Still, a permanent building may be decades away. The first hurdle is inclusion and approval of funds in an upcoming 2026 bond referendum. Meanwhile, Foley is disappointed with the decision to move all “without walls” programs to the Burke-Springfield Center for Active Adults, which she believes is not large enough, for example, to host the current number of line dancing participants. Always capturing the immediate opportunity, she was collecting petition signatures at the center opening event.

BSCAA programs and activities are open free to all Fairfax County adult residents age 50 and older. The center is open Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 7541 Huntsman Blvd, Springfield.