" A Premier Vital Aging Center Committed to Excellence"

Armory Center is a vital aging center that enhances the quality of life for persons ages 50+ years by providing socialization, recreation, education, information, nutrition, social services and support. We include adults in programming decisions in a clean, safe, pleasing and inclusive environment.
"Se habla Español"

• 3 Meeting rooms
• Gift shop
• Dining room
• Arts and crafts room
• Library
• Ballroom
• Fitness room
• Billiards room

• Bocci courts
• Shuffleboard
• Horseshoes
• Picnic tables
• Outdoor performance area
• Park
• Outdoor restrooms

Matter of Balance

Silver Threads Newletter

Pick-up a copy of our monthly Silver Threads Newsletter at the front desk...we have something for everyone!

Club #1 Membership Meetings

Meetings every third Wednesday of the month at 9:30 am. 
All Members are encouraged to attend.

CALC Computer Program

Computer Classes for ages 50+. 
Additional information or call 520-721-7591.

Weight Room Certification Classes

Mondays at 4:00 pm and Thursdays at 9:00 am. Participants must possess a Center Membership.

Health Counseling / Referrals
Monday 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Dr.Dalton McCleland
No Cost with Senior Activity Card

Vital Aging Tap Dance Class
Monday 10:00 am - 11:00 am
No Cost with Senior Activity Card

Vital Aging Chair Exercise
Tuesday 10:15 am - 10:45 am
No Cost with Senior Activity Card

Health Clinic
2nd and 4th Tuesday 9:00 am - 11:30 am
Sponsored by Pima County Health Department and Pima Council on Aging
Clinic schedule
No Cost, Senior Activity Card not required.

Vital Aging Table Tennis, Match Play
Monday and Thursday 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Senior Activity Card Required

Vital Aging Table Tennis
Wednesday 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Senior Activity Card Required

Zumba® Gold Express
Monday and Wednesday 12:15 pm - 12:50 pm
$1/class, walk-ins welcome
Enjoy exercising to the rhythm of Zumba® Express, taught by Ernie Perez. Zumba fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves to create a dynamic fitness program that will blow you away.
Senior Activity Card Required

Zumba® Toning
Monday  5:45 pm - 7:00 pm
$3/class, walk-ins welcome

Zumba® Fitness Party
Wednesday 5:45 pm -7:00 pm
$3/class, walk-ins welcome
Potluck last Wednesday of month

Hatha Yoga with Jeannine
Tuesday 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
$6 per class or $5 for Armory members
Senior Activity Card required for discount.

Mobile Health Clinic
2nd Friday of each month, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Sponsored by CareMore
Blood pressure check, glaucoma, glucose, pulmonary function and more.
Senior Activity Card not required

Pool & Billiards
Daily
3 regulation pool tables and one billiard table
No Cost with Senior Activity Card

Wii Virtual Games
Monday 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Play virtual golf or bowling in the dining room
No Cost with Senior Activity Card

Party Bridge
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
No Cost with Senior Activity Card

BINGO
Tuesday 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm
No Cost with Senior Activity Card

Loteria
Wednesday 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
No Cost with Senior Activity Card

Afternoon Dance with MC Alfredo Quiroga
Thursday 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
No Cost with Senior Activity Card

Beginning Line Dancing
Friday 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
No Cost with Senior Activity Card

Intermediate Line Dancing
Friday 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
No Cost with Senior Activity Card

Advanced Line Dancing
Friday 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
No Cost with Senior Activity Card

Saturday Afternoon Ballroom Dancing
Every Saturday 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
$2, Senior Activity Card required.

Swingin' Saturday: A West Coast Swing Dance Social
2nd Saturday of every month
7-8 pm: Lessons (concurrent beginner and advanced lessons)
8 pm- 11 pm: General Dancing
No partner required!  Dance to the sounds of Top 40, Blues, Soul, Funk, and Jazz music.  Just $7 ($5 for Armory Park Center members and students) provides access from 7:00 pm – 11 pm to lessons from Tucson’s best instructors, a large dance floor, and fantastic dance tunes!

U.S. Amateur Ballroom Dancing
3rd Saturday of the month
Lesson: 7:30 pm - 8:00 pm / Dance: 8:00 pm - 10:30 pm
ONLY $3 for Armory Park Center MEMBERS
(Senior Activity Card for discount)

Lindy Hop/Swing Dancing
4th Saturday of the month 7:00 pm
The schedule of the night is a basic lesson in the Jitterbug taught by Alex and Theresa from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm followed by live music until 11:00 pm.  
The band rotation varies upon availability. Currently we have Kings of Pleasure, Misbehavin', and a 13-piece big band, Tucson Swings!
No partner is required Cost varies $10-$15 depending on the band.
$2.00 DISCOUNT for Armory Park Center MEMBERS (must show Senior Activity Card for discount)
More information on Tucson Lindy Hop Society.
 

Sewing Class with Winston Williams
Monday - Thursday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
No Cost with Senior Activity Card

Woodworking Class
Wednesday 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
No Cost with Senior Activity Card

Beading Class
Wednesday 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
No Cost with Senior Activity Card

Canvas/Crotchet
Wednesday 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
No Cost with Senior Activity Card

Quilting
Wednesday 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
No Cost with Senior Activity Card

Movie on the Big Screen
Wednesday 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
No Cost with Senior Activity Card

Hawaiian Quilting and Crafts with Bev
Friday 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
No Cost with Senior Activity Card

Ukulele Class with Carol Humphrey
Thursday 1:54 pm – 3:00 pm
No Cost with Senior Activity Card

Hatha Yoga with Jeannine
Tuesday 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
$6 per class or $5 for Armory members
Senior Activity Card required for discount.

Computer Adult Learning Center at Armory Park Center
520-721-7591

Beginning Sign Language classes
Monday 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
No Cost with Senior Activity Card

Advanced Sign Language classes
Friday 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
No Cost with Senior Activity Card

Computer & Internet Assistance
Monday through Friday  12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
No Cost with Senior Activity Card

Beginning Spanish classes offered by Beatriz Arenas
Every Tuesday 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
$3 per class (no classes in summer months)

Telephone Assistance Pilot Program
Help with filling out an application
Call 791-4865 for appointment
Benefit of Membership

Tucson Community Food Bank Food Distribution
4th Wednesday of each month 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Senior Activity Card Not Required

Notary Public
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:00 am -3:00 pm
Call 791-4865 for appointment
No Cost with Senior Activity Card

AARP Income Tax Assistance
February – April 15th
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

AARP Driving Classes
Call Jerry 791-4865 for more information.

Neighbors Care Alliance (NCA)
NCA Outreach Coordinators with the Armory Park Neighborhood Association collaborate with Armory Park Staff and and faith-based communities in helping Armory Park neighbors remain independent and in their homes as long as possible through the support of neighbors helping neighbors.
Call Robin 791-4865 for more information.

PCOA Medicare Fair
Thursday, November 4th, 2010
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Call Lydia Baker 790-7262 for more information.

Healthy Dinner!
Monday through Friday 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
$2.00 suggested donation.
A daily nutritionally balanced meal is offered while encouraging social interactions with others. The Meal program provides eligible adults with a variety of foods from the basic food groups, leading to an overall healthier diet. Funded by: City of Tucson, Pima Council on Aging, DES, Aging and Adult Administration.
No Cost for Senior Activity Card if only attending this program.

Meals for homebound 60+
Residents in the 85701 zip code can get meals delivered 5 days a week. Call Ramona 791-4865 to arrange an intake appointment.
$2.00 Suggested donation
Funded by: City of Tucson, Pima Council on Aging, DES, Aging and Adult Administration.

Club #1 is an integral part of Armory Park Center. They enhance programming through fundraising and play a role in the decision processes and assist in program funding. Elections for the Club Board are held annually. There are ample opportunities ranging from President to Members at Large!

Club #1 was organized in December 1959. The First Officers were elected in February 1960, and the first meeting place was at the Service Man’s Center downtown. The first programs included card games, dancing and other social events with lunch and coffee. The crafters enjoyed braiding bolo ties, leather tooling, simple jewelry, art and fancy needlework. The first year started with pot luck lunches, which drew more people and additional members. The City of Tucson financed the first expenses until additional monies were needed; these were raised with pie socials and bazaars.

By the end of 1960, Club #1 boasted membership of more than 200; the “Senior Citizens of America” granted the charter in March 1962. By 1963, the Club had temporarily moved to Randolph Old Club House while their home facility was being refurbished. March 1963 saw the dedication of the newly remodeled Club #1 Clubhouse.

In 1973, the Club’s membership grew so much that the Clubhouse was determined to be too small. In response to a petition for a larger meeting facility, the Clubhouse was inspected in 1974 and determined to be in poor condition. On 16 December 1974, the City of Tucson decided to demolish the old building. An architect was contracted to design a new building with at least 20,000 square feet of floor space for the same site and at a cost of $63,700.

March 1975 a tree was planted by the Soldier’s Monument to commemorate the new plan. On May 15, 1975 the Mayor and Council approved the new plans for the demolition of the old building and the construction of the new one. A Farewell Dance was held August 1, 1975, in the old building. Four days later, Club #1 programs were moved to the Scottish Rite Temple until the new building was complete.

The construction of the new building was completed December of 1976 at a final cost of $897,033. January 12, 1977, the Grand Opening Ceremonies of the new Armory Center were held, and Club #1 moved to its new home.

Armory Center would not be if it weren’t for the help and support from our community and volunteers.

If you would like to Volunteer at Armory Center, fill out the Volunteer Application OR call us at 520-791-4865 for more information.
 

How we began…

As Arizona became the Union’s 48th state on 14 February 1912, Tucsonans were considering the construction of an armory. At that time, the Arizona National Guard was bivouacked at Military Plaza in today’s downtown Tucson, where they maintained a small facility for rifle practice.
 

A contemporary Arizona Daily Star Editorial documented the discussion, stating that the Armory (and a Convention Center) would bring more money into town and make Tucson life more pleasant. That article fueled the drive for the construction of an Armory.

In November 1913, the land between 12th and 13th Streets fronting 6th Avenue was deeded by the City of Tucson for use by the National Guard. By September 1914, the Armory building was completed at a final cost of $28,000 and seating for 2,200 people. According to official records, the City of Tucson paid for half the building costs, which were very low for that time, the surrounding buildings having allotted costs ranging from $40,000 to $125,000.

The first National Guard units to occupy the new Armory were Headquarters Co., E Co. and a medical attachment, all under the command of the Adjutant General, Lieutenant Colonel Charles W. Harris. Many prominent Arizonans also assigned to the Armory included Millard G. Seeley, Dr. Early B. Turnage, and Colonel A. M. Tuthill.

During World Wars I and II, Armory was the site of military operations as well as numerous civilian activities, including political rallies, USO Shows, and University of Arizona basketball games. After World War II, the Armory Building was deemed inadequate for the National Guard, and the Guard moved to Randolph Park. The Armory Building was condemned and set to be demolished. Returned to the City of Tucson in early 1963 for the price of $1, it was remodeled re-christened as the Senior Center along with the other park facilities in the Military Plaza. In March 1963, the newly remodeled building was dedicated as the new Club #1 Clubhouse.