Aging Partners Celebrates Move to New Victory Park Location

Published on April 27, 2023

Older adults welcome to access services beginning in May

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird with local, state, and federal leaders today celebrated the new Aging Partners location at Victory Park, 600 S. 70th St. The site will be home to the Victory Park Senior Center, Schmieding Center for Active Living and Aging Partners administrative headquarters, which began moving from their downtown locations in April. The center and all services are scheduled to be available in early May.

“Our new Aging Partners center expands and enhances services that prioritize the well-being of local seniors and veterans. The timing of our investment in a bigger and better facility puts us in a strong position to serve the growing number of older adults in our community,” Mayor Gaylor Baird said.

Joining Mayor Gaylor Baird were Zaneta Inez Adams, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Inter-Governmental Affairs, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Randall Jones, Aging Partners Director; City Council member Tammy Ward, Lancaster County Commissioner Roma Amundson and Roger Lempke, Nebraska Lieutenant General, Retired, Seniors Foundation Incoming President.

Features of the Victory Park site include increased parking with better accessibility, classrooms, a new foot and health assessment clinic staffed by the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing, a central kitchen, a dining room with space for entertainment, StarTran service, and expansive green space with trails.

“This new site provides a central location where people can access all Aging Partners services; expand health and fitness opportunities; support our meal preparation and distribution; increase accessibility for those who use wheelchairs and create a synergy between Veterans Services and Aging Partners,” Director Jones said.

Mayor Gaylor Baird thanked the project donors for their support. They include:

  • Sunderland Foundation – Victory Park Aging Partners development
  • Schmieding Foundation – Schmieding Center for Active Living
  • Presbyterian Foundation – kitchen
  • Lincoln Community Foundation, Kenneth J. Good Endowed Fund – outdoor beautification
  • Lincoln CARES, Schmieding Foundation – fitness equipment
  • Immanuel Vision Foundation – outside patio/meditation area
  • Seniors Foundation – lounge fireplace, health assessment and foot clinic
  • Jim Cada – Veterans’ recognition and lounge

The 58-acre Victory Park is part of the Lincoln Veterans Administration Hospital Historic District, which is on the National Register of Historic Places in Nebraska. Relocation of Aging Partners facilities to the Veterans Administration campus is part of the $100 million redevelopment of the VA Hospital grounds. Campus development includes the move of the VA Clinic, and the renovation and preservation of several existing historic buildings and the development of affordable housing.

Owned by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Victory Park will be expanded through the VA’s Enhanced-Use Lease program. The program allows the VA to manage underutilized property through leasing arrangements with state or local governments, or private-sector organizations.

“This partnership between public and private, and amongst local, state, and federal governments, demonstrates our combined and unwavering commitment to serving the veterans who have selflessly answered our country’s call to serve in defense of our national principles of freedom and democratic governance,” Commissioner Amundson said.

The Victory Park Senior Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays, with lunch served at 11:30 a.m. The Schmieding Center for Active Living will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Aging Partners offices will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 402-441-7070. 

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