Why the Harbor Center 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 done so from a shared, non-purpose-built space since 2019. At the same time, our community continues to lack flexible, accessible spaces for events, performances, and gatherings — and opportunities for residents of all ages to connect with nature and one another.
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​The Harbor Center directly addresses these needs. It will establish a dedicated, permanent home for senior programs and services, serving a population where one in three residents is over 60. The facility will provide accessible programs that support health, wellness, social connection, and independence — helping older adults remain active and engaged in community life.
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Beyond serving seniors, Harbor Center will serve as a vibrant community hub. Its adaptable event and meeting spaces will host public programs, celebrations, civic gatherings, and nonprofit activities— fostering collaboration, belonging, and a shared sense of place across generations.
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The campus will also include an Environmental Learning Center and a 9-acre conservation area that will protect local habitat while providing 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 vital role nature plays 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 and community connection thrive side by side.
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By creating a permanent, purpose-built campus that unites senior programs and services, shared community and educational spaces, and protected lands, the Harbor Center will deliver lasting public benefit — improving health, resilience, and connection across the greater peninsula region for generations to come.