Frequently Asked Questions

A modernized and larger Center for Active Living (formally the Senior Center) provides a long-awaited opportunity in its 55-year history. The current location totals approximately 5,500 sq. ft. and opened at Town Hall close to 30 years ago. The Center and parking capacity have been recognized as inadequate over many years and restrictive to both participation levels and the expansion of impactful programs and services. Hingham’s population over age 60 has nearly doubled from 17% in 1997 to 32% in 2024. Projections estimate that by 2035 39% of Hingham’s population will be age 60 and over. According to Town census data, close to 44% of Hingham residents are age 50 and over. 

Even if you are not currently a senior the new Center for Active Living is being designed to address the wide variety of needs of the increasing percentage of Hingham residents who will fit this profile in the years to come. There are many multigenerational families in town. We need to look to the future to help people live longer, healthier lives.

A larger center offers impactful opportunities to foster community connections and expand enriching programs and services for the entire community - older residents, future older residents, caregivers, family, and friends. 

In May of 2020, Article 15 of Annual Town Meeting established the Senior Center Building Committee. The Committee was renamed the Center for Active Living Building Committee in 2023 to reflect the rebranding and renaming of the Senior Center. 
 
 The Building Committee was initially appointed to address longtime awareness that the space and features of Hingham’s Center for Active Living are inadequate; and guide the exploration of plans for the design, engineering, and renovation of the Center in Town Hall and the adjacent space currently occupied by the Police Department. Initial efforts focused on the identification of a comprehensive overview of prioritized programs, services, and design features to be incorporated in future space. Concerns around parking and retrofitting the existing space at Town Hall ultimately led the Committee to request approval from the Town to pursue alternative sites. 
 
 In 2023, the Town approved broadening the purpose of the 2020 appropriation of $525,000 (initially earmarked for preliminary design work to expand and renovate the current Center and a related feasibility study) to include consideration of five alternative sites. The Select Board narrowed the process to two sites, Town Hall, and Bare Cove. 
   
 In December 2023, the Town of Hingham issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) to initiate the feasibility study and selection of an architectural firm; in April 2024, the Town finalized an agreement with EDM Design Studio, Inc. to conduct a comprehensive feasibility analysis of opportunities at Bare Cove and Town Hall with accompanying conceptual design concepts. 
 
 In November 2024, a motion was put forth by the Building Committee to recommend the site at Bare Cove as the most preferable and feasible location for the Center of Active Living. 

EDM Design Studio, Inc. conducted community outreach through surveys, one-on-one meetings, and focus groups to gather feedback on what type of activities and layout of the amenities were important for residents to have in a new center. In addition, the Center for Active Living Building Committee and COA meetings are open to the public for comment.

Previously a Community Needs Assessment study was conducted in 2022 by UMass Boston to investigate and plan for the needs, interests, preferences, and opinions of Hingham's residents age 45 and older. The study had a significant community outreach component that included a resident survey and interviews with key informants. 

The feasibility study evaluated multiple options at Town Hall including expansion of the existing building and standalone new construction at Cronin Field. The consultants utilized a scorecard methodology to rank over 20 site evaluation criteria. In November 2024, the Building Committee concluded that the Town Hall site lacked feasibility due to significant constraints, compromises, and concerns. 

Bare Cove offers the greatest opportunity for the Center for Active Living to reach its greatest potential as reflected in the site evaluation scorecard. Key advantages of this site are that it accommodates all programmatic needs on a single accessible level, ample indoor and outdoor spaces, adequate parking, and room for growth. Moreover, the new center will be an integral part of greater community connection hub within the Bare Cove section of Town which includes ball fields, paved walking trails, planned pickleball courts project and the South Shore Country Club which offers golf, bowling, dining, and the planned pool project. 

The new center would be similar in size and scope to the other new centers in surrounding towns. The design concept would resemble the architectural "look and feel" of Hingham and reflect the history of the Bare Cove area. The design reflects the findings of the feasibility study, which was informed by many years of research, and will incorporate "lessons learned" from other new centers in surrounding towns. 

The proposed center will be an easy to navigate one story building with large windows for natural light, 200+ parking spaces with more ADA designated spaces and designated covered drop off area. 

Inside will include a lobby/lounge area, dedicated exercise/dance and fitness rooms, auditorium, clean and dirty arts rooms, a teaching kitchen, and all-day food services through a cafe model where residents have the opportunity to gather and build social connections. Staff offices will have view of parking lot for increased safety with one secure entry point. Outside there will be a greenhouse, gardens, lawn area for games and activities, patios, and walking path connections to Bare Cove Park.

Considerations related to the size and design features of a future building reflect 15+ years of discussions among Council on Aging members, Building Committee members, and residents; and multiple studies focused on understanding needs and demographic shifts related to Hingham’s large and growing population of older adults. The Building Committee relied on the 2022 Community Needs Assessment and explored programming and design concepts being incorporated in other newly designed centers. Years of collective efforts informed the 2024 Feasibility study. Cumulative findings and the expertise of the architectural design team determined the optimal size of a new building to be approximately 28,000 SF.

The feasibility study was completed in 2024. In 2025 Hingham voters will be asked to approve full funding for the design schematic. In 2026 voters will to be asked to approve funding for construction (expected to begin in the summer of 2026). The new center is expected to be completed in 2028. * Dates subject to change