By: Laurie Everett
Main Street Media
From The Chronicle of Mt. Juliet
The Mt. Juliet senior center is starting its move and transition to its new location with a new name.
The center’s staff and members have planned a move for Monday, June 15 to the former Mt. Juliet Police Department headquarters next to Charlie Daniels Park. The senior center has been next to Mt. Juliet Church of Christ on N. Mt. Juliet Road for 30 years.
Center Executive Director Valissa Saindon revealed that the non-profit senior center now will be known as the Mt. Juliet 55-plus Activity Center (it currently is the Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center).
The name change adding “55-plus” is an attempt to let younger community members know they are eligible to join, Saindon said.
“We hope to attract them as well and capture all 55 and up members,” she said.
Center Activities Director Jennifer Pinto said the additional space (nearly double what the center currently has) will give her the opportunity to open new classes for members and increase the membership list.
“We are currently at 550 with more than 50 of those recently,” she said. “We add more and more each week.”
The new membership fee will be an annual $70 beginning July 1; it is currently $65. This includes all classes and activities except day and seasonal trips.
Saindon said members can walk through the doors for activities starting Monday, June 22. An official ribbon cutting and open house events are being planned for later in the summer.
In September 2025, center officials signed a lease with the City of Mt. Juliet for $1 a year with an agreement to completely renovate the building at about $1 million for the senior center.
“We got most of our original building all packed up,” Saindon said. “Many of our members have volunteered their time to help us pack up. We are almost ready. This is such a long time coming and we are absolutely thrilled.”
Senior Center Board Chair Rob Porter said the proceeds of the former building sale to the church will go toward the renovation that put in a new electrical system, lighting and kitchen, among the changes.
Saindon and Pinto provided a tour of the new facility last week. Paint of bright colors now covers the previous mustard yellow walls and more ambient lighting is being installed.
There is an outdoor gathering space at the entry that Saindon said will be designed with lots of outdoor furniture. There are at least 10 activity classrooms for billiards and ping pong, a music room, a boutique, sewing room, card and game room, exercise room and art room.
The main room will hold dozens of exercise group classes such as aerobics, chair yoga, tai-chi and SAIL, and can be used for parties and other large events.
“(The main room) has portable walls, if we need to divide it up for different things,” Pinto said.
The center will still offer a daily lunch for members and be the headquarters for Meals on Wheels’ deliveries in the area.
“This journey has been long and we are beyond excited,” said Saindon, who has been executive director eight years. “We are excited, our members are overjoyed. The quest for a new location has been years. It doesn’t seem real, but it is.”
