With help from SCOPE Senior Services, new senior centers will open in Bristol and Champion townships in early January and in Brookfield later in 2026.

Mike Wilson, executive director of SCOPE, spoke to Bristol and Champion trustees Tuesday about the plans.

He said the county approved $13,380 per year for each center, which will allow them to be open part time. Wilson said the Bristol center would be open Tuesdays and Thursdays at the township hall, and the Champion center would be open Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the township administration building.

Wilson said more than 60 surveys were received from residents of both communities asking what activities people would want, including chair volleyball, bingo, yoga, line dancing, mind and trivia games, sip and paint, games, exercise classes and quilting.

“There was interest in 28 different activities,” Wilson said.

He said the centers are scheduled to open the second week of January, and lunches will begin the third week. The centers will be for anyone age 60 and older.

“There were seniors who were driving to other communities, and some not going anywhere. Why be alone when you can come to a center and spend time with others? We will make this work. There are people who like to attend activities in their community,” Wilson said.

He said classes at the centers will be free, but donations will be accepted for instructors who provide services.

The center in Champion is set to have Marge Haley as manager. She is the assistant director at the Warren SCOPE Center. The Bristol center will be run by resident Robin Martorana.

Wilson said lunch will be served on Tuesdays at both centers with food provided by the St. Vincent de Paul Trumbull County chapter.

He said volunteers are being sought to help at each center. Wilson said hours for each center will be determined, but likely will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Champion Trustee Doug Emerine said there has been interest from the public about when the senior center would begin and what activities and programs would be offered.

Bristol Trustee Doug Seemann said he hopes the center gets more people from the community involved,

“This is fantastic news. This helps make people appreciate what they can do in their community,” he said.

Wilson said he plans to attend a Champion trustees meeting Dec. 1 to discuss what is planned. He spoke Tuesday at the Bristol trustees meeting.

Wilson said Brookfield will have its senior center at a new community center at a former banquet hall facility. He said that center will likely be open in late summer after renovation work is completed.