The Center at Belvedere Transforming Senior Centers

Product not yet rated

Only available as part of a package

The 50+ population is booming and changing in multiple and dramatic ways. Senior community centers must change to remain the vital resources our communities need. The Center at Belvedere in Charlottesville, VA is a new community center focused on healthy aging and open to all ages. Situated on six acres in a multi-generation and multi-use neighborhood, the 47,000 square foot Center features a physical fitness wing, 380-seat performing arts auditorium, art studio, lifelong learning wing, multiple indoor and outdoor social spaces, a Greenberry’s Coffee Café, and a primary care clinic operated by the local community hospital. This session will describe how The Center synchronized a new vision with architectural design, branding, community partnerships, and program delivery to transform how it meets its healthy aging mission while serving as a community hub.

Peter Thompson

Executive Director

The Center

Peter Thompson has served as Executive Director of The Center since 1999. The Center positively impacts our community by creating opportunities for healthy aging through over 100 programs and scores of partnerships.
The Center at Belvedere recently received the American Institute of Architects Merit award for design in aging and has won the Pinnacle Award as America’s premier community center as well as numerous local and state awards. It is the first national accredited center in Virginia, achieving this highest standard every five years since 2001.
Peter received his B.A. in History from UVA and his MPA in Nonprofit Management from VCU. Recent community service includes the Board of Directors of OLLI, Madison House, Charlottesville Chamber of Commerce, and the Center for Nonprofit Excellence. He is Virginia’s representative to the National Institute of Senior Centers Leadership Council and he helped found the Charlottesville Area Alliance—Working together for an age-friendly community where he serves as Chair of the Transportation Work Group.

Douglas Gallow

Senior Center and Universal Design Specialist

Lifespan Design Studio LLC

Douglas J. Gallow Jr., AIA, NCARB, Owner, Lifespan Design Studio LLC Douglas Gallow is an architect with an extensive project resume in senior center planning and design. He has completed more than six-dozen senior center projects in 28 states since co-founding Lifespan Design Studio in 2006. Mr. Gallow actively pursues continuing education and professional collaboration to support his interest in design for aging and universal design. He completed Johns Hopkins University’s Certificate on Aging program and has been an active member of the National Council on Aging/National Institute of Senior Centers for decades. Doug frequently presents workshops and seminars on senior center design at national and state conferences for aging services and design professionals and students.

Simona Combi (Moderator)

Public Relations Manager

National Council on Aging

Simona Combi managed media relations for several nonprofit research and advocacy organizations, including the Center for Global Policy Solutions and the Urban Institute. Most recently, she worked for IQ Solutions—a NIH contractor—to support the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s press team. She brings experience generating national media coverage and preparing national level spokespeople for interviews.