Black Mountain reopens Lakeview Center upper level March 9, meal pickups end

The Town of Black Mountain announced that the upper level of the Lakeview Center for Active Aging, 401 Laurel Circle Dr., will reopen for congregate senior meals and senior programming on Monday, March 9, 2026. The town posted a News Flash on March 4 stating the upstairs is ready to resume services and that all off-site senior programming will return to its regular day and time while the temporary meal pick-up program will end.

Town officials say the bottom level of the Lakeview Center remains inoperable because of flood damage tied to Tropical Storm Helene. Black Mountain’s press release used the town’s language: "The upper level of the Lakeview Center for Active Aging is now ready to safely welcome seniors back for congregate meals and senior programming." Valley Echo noted the upper level is accessible from the pool deck.

Black Mountain News, republished on Yahoo, reported the center has been closed since Tropical Storm Helene struck on Sept. 27, 2024. That reporting also lays out the town’s recent repair funding: the Town Council allocated $15,000 in October 2025 for temporary repairs and approved an additional $40,000 in January 2026 after staff determined the initial amount was insufficient. Those funds were used to complete the upper-level repairs in time for the March 9 reopening, the town release says.

Assessments made during repairs uncovered unrelated historical damage upstairs. Black Mountain News reporting states inspectors found fire damage from the 1970s and that permitted occupancy for the top floor was lowered to eight people at one time because of that discovery. The town’s press release does not list an occupancy figure; residents seeking clarification are advised to contact town staff for the current occupancy limit.

When the upper level reopens, the Lakeview Center will resume congregate meal site dining and a slate of senior programming described by the town as providing "not only nutritious meals, but also meaningful opportunities for social connection and engagement, with a host of programs and activities to meet all activity levels for adults ages 50+." During the center’s closure the town worked with community partners to keep services running at off-site locations including Black Mountain United Methodist Church, First Christian Church, Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, and Black Mountain Center for the Arts.

Melinda Polites, Senior Center Administrator, said, "I am happy to welcome all our friends back to the Lakeview Center. I want to extend appreciation to numerous locations that accommodated our programs while Lakeview was closed that included Black Mountain United Methodist Church, First Christian Church, Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, and Black Mountain Center for the Arts." Residents can reach Polites at 828-419-9389 or 828-669-8610, or by email at Melinda.polites@tobm.org for questions about programming, meal schedules, or accessibility from the pool deck.

Town officials have not announced a timeline for repairs to the bottom floor or a date for full reopening of the Lakeview Center; the March 9 reopening applies only to the upper level and the return of in-person congregate services.