The Bay Ridge Center marked the first anniversary of its new location last week, capping nearly a decade of planning to expand services for Brooklyn’s older adults.
Founded in 1976, the organization has long served Brooklynites aged 60 and older. Its relocation from the basement of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church to its new facility at 15 Bay Ridge Ave. last year has allowed for expanded programming and greater accessibility, said Executive Director Todd Fliedner.
“What a first year it has been,” he told Brooklyn Paper. “Since opening last March 11 Bay Ridge Center has tripled its membership and currently offers over 90 programs weekly. BRC’s new location allows us to operate as the premiere older adult center in NYC and provide invaluable resources to adults 60-plus in Southwest Brooklyn so that they can most successfully age in place.”
The March 11 event doubled as an anniversary celebration and St. Patrick’s Day party, bringing together local officials, community members and staff for a day of music, food and reflection on the center’s growth over the past year.
Previously confined to a small space that limited program expansion, the Bay Ridge Center now operates in a modern facility that offers a range of amenities designed to support older adults. Through its partnership with the New York City Department for the Aging, the Bay Ridge Center provides members with daily hot meals, access to exercise equipment and instruction, arts programming, a computer room and various social services.
“We’d been in the basement of that church for 46 years,” Fliedner told Brooklyn Paper last year. “Bethlehem Lutheran Church was wonderful, but we had very little space — we had about 4,000 square feet. So now we’ve moved to 15 Bay Ridge Avenue in a two-floor space with 21,000 square feet and it’s all brand new.”
Donning festive St. Patrick’s Day beads and an ear-to-ear smile, Fliedner was excited to welcome Brooklyn Paper into the new space on the one-year anniversary.
“We are celebrating two very important occasions today,” he said. “It’s the first anniversary of our new space, and it’s our Senior Advisory Council’s St. Patrick’s Day party. We’ve got a packed house, live music, corned beef and cabbage, and Gerard Coughlin’s homemade Irish soda bread — he makes it for us every year, and it’s delicious.”
Representatives from the offices of U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis and State Assembly Member Michael Tannousis attended the event. Both officials have been strong supporters of the center, Fliedner said. Its relocation and expansion were made possible through significant financial support from reps like Malliotakis — who secured $2 million for the move — as well as Council Member Justin Brannan, State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.
As the center continues to expand its programs and services, Fleedner encouraged more community members to take advantage of the resources available.
“Anyone who hasn’t been to the Bay Ridge Center should come and see all the great things we have to offer,” he said. “We’re growing and things are better than ever.”
Additional reporting by Arthur de Gaeta
