Why the Harbor Campus Matters
"...the community lacks flexible spaces for events, performances, and other gatherings— and opportunities for residents of all ages to connect with nature and one another."
Reduce Social Isolation
Since 2000, Gig Harbor’s senior population has grown dramatically — increasing by nearly 86% among residents aged 65 and older. While the Gig Harbor Senior Center has worked diligently to meet the evolving needs of this growing population, it has operated from a shared, non-purpose-built space since 2019. At the same time, the community lacks flexible spaces for events, performances, and other gatherings— and opportunities for residents of all ages to connect with nature and one another.
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The Harbor Campus directly addresses these needs. It establishes a dedicated, permanent senior center, serving a population where one in three residents is over 60. The facility will offer accessible programs to support health, wellness, social connection, and independence among older adults – helping them remain active and engaged in community life.
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Beyond senior programs and services, Harbor Campus will serve as a vibrant community hub. Its adaptable event and meeting space will host a wide range of public programs, celebrations, civic gatherings, and nonprofit activities, strengthening collaboration, belonging, and shared community identity across generations.
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The Harbor Campus also includes an environmental learning center and a 9-acre conservation area that will protect local habitat while offering outdoor education, walking trails, and stewardship programs. These spaces will engage students, families, and residents of all ages, in hands-on learning about local ecosystems and the important role nature’s systems and services play in sustaining community well-being.
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Designed with accessibility, inclusion, and sustainability at its core, the Harbor Center will be a place where generations learn from one another and where environmental stewardship is part of everyday life.
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By creating a permanent and purpose-built facility that unites senior programs and services, shared community and educational spaces, and protected lands, the Harbor Campus will deliver lasting public benefit — improving health, resilience, and connection across our greater peninsula region for generations to come.