New Blaine Senior Center director eyes changes ahead

Pete Nelson knew things had to change when he started as the new Blaine Senior Center executive director in January. 

From blank walls to unused spaces, some things had to go, he said. Nelson had an ambitious goal: Implementing an upward of 20 new programs and events starting in April. So far, he’s on his way of doing just that.

“It’s like the Wizard of Oz. When you start the movie, it’s black and white, and then suddenly, the color comes on,” Nelson said. “That’s what my staff and I are trying to do. We’re trying to turn on the color here, literally in some ways.”

Nelson is a Bellingham resident with a background in marketing and psychology. A Princeton, New Jersey native, Nelson earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Maryland before working as a behavioral science specialist for the U.S. Army.

Nelson later switched paths, earning his business master’s degree from Western Washington University, near his wife’s hometown of Friday Harbor. He taught integrated marketing and brand promotion at WWU, and worked as business and marketing director of Wilson Motors Auto Group from 2007 to 2018. 

Nelson stumbled upon the senior center position, which he thought dovetailed nicely with his goal to work for a nonprofit. His passion for seniors, he said, comes from his grandmother, Mildred “Millie” Nelson, who lived to be 108.

“This was a good opportunity coming out of Covid to do something where I could really make some changes for the better,” he said. “I never thought I’d necessarily be the executive director of a senior center but now I can’t imagine working anywhere else.” 

Nelson said he sees this new job as a way to revitalize the senior center after the pandemic. With three part-time staff members, a budget that’s rebounded from pandemic cuts and community support behind him, there’s no better time for the center to see change.

“Seniors have gone their whole lives to retire and start this chapter in their lives,” Nelson said. “It’s my responsibility to have a center that stimulates and offers services. Our mission is to create a vibrant community for seniors that’s full of education, connection and exploration. I want the seniors in this community to know this is a community center.”

Nelson said he wants seniors to be able to ask the center to support their needs and curiosities. If a senior wants to learn Spanish, staff will equip them with an online class. If they want to play games, use the computer, ballroom dance, watch a movie or dance, there will be a space for it, he said.

Activities being planned include a walking club, community cleanup program, gardening club, ballroom dancing, writing class, reading group, cooking classes, Seattle Mariners club and bunco. Nelson is also planning trips to Tuscany, Italy and the southern U.S. as well as daytrips, all to start next year.

There are no plans to eliminate services, he said, only change or add to them. The senior center already hosts a variety of activities for its nearly 500 patrons including classes on fitness, tai chi, knitting, crafting, band rehearsal, bridge and Scrabble as well as Big Bucks Bingo. The center also offers Meals on Wheels hot lunches every weekday and Meals on Wheels frozen meal pickup on Thursday. Meals are $5 each, or whatever is affordable. 

“We’re looking at what places are not being used, what places are being used within our facility and how do we find better resources that our members can use,” Nelson said. 

As senior center director, Nelson is also in charge of facilities maintenance of the neighboring community pavilion. Nelson said he is opening the pavilion and senior center for public use for weddings, receptions and classroom space. He would also like to incorporate the youth in the senior center activities. 

After seeing little use, the former library was moved to an open space and books that hadn’t been checked out in over four years were removed. The former library is now a classroom that will have a multimedia projector and screen that Joyce Vanderpol, a 99-year-old real estate broker, donated. Vanderpol generously donated the multimedia equipment and other contributions to enhance technology education for seniors, Nelson said.

“The goal is to bring in today’s technology and offer, not only the benefits of it to our members, but even teach them how to utilize it,” he said. 

The poolroom had one of its two pool tables removed to make room for other activities such as yoga and watching movies. The baby grand piano was also donated to the Blaine High School choir.

The senior center is looking for volunteers and donations to execute these changes, Nelson said. 

“If you have a specialty or are willing to be a team leader, we’re looking for you,” he said.  

Starting April 1, the center hours will extend from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and the center will be open until 1 p.m. Saturdays. The center will also finish painting and other renovations by the start of the month. Senior center staff will host an open house at the center, 763 G Street, later this month to share the new changes.

“Change is hard for seniors, but it’s good for them,” he said. “We have to stimulate this population.”