James River Senior Center marks grand opening at new Jamestown home
Jamestown seniors now have a larger, more accessible hub at 1009 13th St. NE, with transit, meals and Information Day services under one roof.
Stutsman County seniors and transit riders now have a larger, easier-to-use base in northeast Jamestown. The James River Senior Center and Public Transit has moved from the Legacy Center at 419 5th St. NE into the former IDK building at 1009 13th St. NE, giving the nonprofit more parking, better accessibility and more room for meals, activities and rides.
Executive director Maureen Wegenke said the grand opening and Information Day were meant first as a thank-you to the community and the people who helped make the move possible. The center has served the area since 1967, and the relocation gives the long-running organization a more permanent home after it bought the former restaurant property in June 2024 and remodeled it into a larger facility. Hillerud Construction Inc. handled the work, which included paving the front parking lot, renovating the building and adding two expansions.
The investment totaled about $3 million, according to later figures, up from an earlier $2.8 million estimate for the renovation and expansion plan. A $10,000 grant from the Jamestown Community Foundation in July 2025 also supported construction and remodeling at the northeast Jamestown site. Wegenke said the new setting has already started to draw more people in, and that the benefits of improved parking, safety and accessibility are showing up in stronger use of the center.
The move briefly paused meals and activities from April 27-29 before the building officially opened to the public on April 30. For older adults who rely on the center for daily routines, the broader space and public transit operation are meant to make it easier to stay connected to meals, activities and the services that help preserve independence in Jamestown. The center’s website says the move marks “an important new chapter” for seniors, the public transit program and the community members it serves.
Information Day focused on practical help for older adults and caregivers. Booths covered Medicare, hearing assistance, chiropractic care, vocational resources, house calls, assistive devices, utilities help, Alzheimer’s support, vision services, elder care and health care. Participating organizations included the North Dakota School for the Deaf/Resource Center, North Dakota Association for the Disabled, Rock Solid Chiropractic, Freedom Resource Center, North Dakota Adult and Aging Services, North Dakota Vocational Rehabilitation, HIA Health and Central Valley Health District.
The day also gave visitors a full schedule at the new building: a ribbon cutting outside, weather permitting, a short program, guided and self-guided tours, information booths, free knoephla soup, an ice cream sundae bar and bingo. Attendees who wanted lunch, dessert or bingo were asked to RSVP so staff could plan accordingly.
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