 US Representative John James delivers $1.5 million grant for activities center addition
U.S. Representative John James returned home to Shelby Township on April 24 and was not empty-handed.
A resident of Shelby Township, James successfully secured $1.5 million in federal funds to enhance the Shelby Township Activities Center gymnasium. This substantial grant will facilitate crucial upgrades to the center, benefiting the township’s seniors and residents.
“I’m back here in my home in Shelby Township with a refund check for our seniors and for our community of $1.5 million,” James said. “This is a refund check precisely because this isn’t my money; this isn’t the federal government’s money. It’s your money, and we’re returning it right back home where you deserve to spend it right here on our health and our community. As a recent resident of Shelby Township and as your Representative, I’m so proud to be able to return your money back to Shelby Township.”
The proposed project entails the construction of an 8,700-square-foot gymnasium, adding a walking track, and expanded space for pickleball, as well as essential program and activity spaces aimed at bolstering the center’s ability to cater to the community’s needs. The Shelby Township Activities Center functions as the senior center from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. After 5 p.m. and on weekends, the facility serves the indoor recreation needs of the entire community.
“The senior center is a huge hit with pickleball, cards, and computer programs for our seniors, but the activities center is so much more than that,” Parks, Recreation, and Maintenance Director Joe Youngblood said. “Between our open gym time and programs like the Easter and Christmas parties, it is the centerpiece of recreation for all Shelby Township residents.”
The project’s total cost, including the federal grant and a $600,000 allocation from the township, amounts to $2.1 million. The township anticipates completion by the summer of 2025.
“The enhancements to the Shelby Township Activities Center represent a significant investment in our community’s well-being,” Shelby Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis said. “We are grateful to Representative James for his advocacy and dedication to improving the lives of our residents. These upgrades will undoubtedly enrich the experiences of our seniors and residents for years to come.”
The initiative to secure funding for these improvements began in the summer of 2023 when Representative James, serving Michigan’s 10th district, engaged with leaders at the Shelby Township Senior Center. During discussions, he advocated for including $1.5 million in Community Project Funding within House Appropriations bills to support the enhancements.
“This is so vitally important to hold up our economy and our seniors’ health,” James said. “When I got to Washington, the very first bill I drew up was the ‘Protecting Social Security and Medicare Act.’ Since then, I’ve voted to increase transparency and reduce the cost of pharmaceutical drugs. For the second year in a row, I was awarded Guardian of Seniors Rights, and I’m excited to be here putting the walk behind the talk.”
James has a longstanding dedication to advocating for older Americans. Notably, the first bill he introduced to Congress, the “Protecting Social Security and Medicare Act,” aimed to safeguard Social Security, Medicare and veteran benefits from debt ceiling negotiations, underscoring his advocacy for seniors' well-being.
“Since the day it opened in 2019, the Shelby Township Activities Center and Senior Center has been a critical tool for helping our seniors’ wellness and a tremendous asset to their social well-being,” Youngblood said. “Our membership continues to grow yearly, and this grant will help us continue to serve our seniors and community with first-rate amenities.”
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