The Durham Center for Senior Life is Durham’s first purpose-built community resource for older adults. A $5.5 M bond referendum supported construction of the 35,180 square foot facility that celebrated the grand opening on May 19, 2006.
The Center is located at 406 Rigsbee Avenue.

The Durham Center for Senior Life (Center) is owned by the County of Durham and operated by the Council for Senior Citizens (Council), an independent private, non-profit organization. It is therefore the right and responsibility of the Council to set operational policies to protect the building and to guarantee the safety of persons using the building. These operational policies are in addition to any governmental policy or regulation that may govern the use of public buildings.

The Executive Director, as an agent of the Board of Directors, is responsible for establishing operating rules and program policies for the overall benefit of older adults utilizing services and others who use the Center. The Executive Director is responsible for reviewing and handling participant complaints, ensuring the freedom for all participants to enjoy the Center, and to guarding the well-being and safety of participants.

1. Participants - The Durham Center for Senior Life is a dedicated Senior Center, serving Older Adults of Durham County; therefore use of the building is restricted to older adults (program participants and clients) and their caregivers, tenants and persons conducting official business at the Center. ALL VISITORS TO THE CENTER MUST SIGN IN AT THE FRONT DESK. For safety and liability reasons, participants in the Center’s programs activities must be able to care for themselves or be accompanied by a personal care provider. Individuals with limiting conditions may be requested to refrain from participating in the Center’s programs or activities for the safety of all participants. Council staff cannot monitor or assist participants who need one-on-one care. Persons with Alzheimer’s, dementia or other cognitive impairments – For the protection of all participants, persons with diagnosed Alzheimer’s, dementia or other cognitive impairments may participate in Senior Center activities, including the congregate meal program, only if accompanied by a family member or aide.
2. Children – The Center is not designed to accommodate children; however, the Council recognizes that from time to time program participants and clients may need to bring children with them. Children must be supervised and with the responsible adult at all times. Children are not allowed to use the computers, TV, Wii, exercise, or other equipment without express permission from the Executive Director. For the safety of everyone, anyone violating this rule will be asked to leave the premises.
3. Animals Prohibited – No animals are permitted in or around the Center, except animals required to assist disabled persons or trained pet therapy animals (by invitation only).
4. No Smoking or Alcoholic Beverages – No alcoholic beverages are permitted in the building or on the property of the Center. Smoking is prohibited inside the facility.
5. Solicitation - No solicitation or private sales from vendors may take place in the Center without express permission from the Executive Director. Program presenters may provide information, but cannot solicit business.
6. Charitable Contributions and Solicitation - No organization may solicit contributions, sell fund raising items or raffle tickets without the express permission of the Executive Director.
7. Equipment – No equipment or property belonging to the Council shall be removed from the building without express written permission of the Executive Director.
8. Decorations – No decorations or objects of any kind may be affixed to the walls, ceilings, doors or windows in any common spaces without permission of the Executive Director. Helium balloons may only be used with express prior permission and must be securely fastened to weights. Removal of any loose balloons are the responsibility of the user, a fee may be assessed to offset costs to capture loose balloons.
9. Flyers - The Council provides a bulletin board for community notices that may be of interest to participants of the Center. All flyers must be submitted to the Council for approval before posting.
10. Advertising – Signs or flyers advertising any products or services are strictly prohibited within the building. The Council does provide space for informational brochures for products or services that may be of interest to participants of the Center. All brochures must be submitted to the Council for approval before being displayed.
11. Open Flames – The use of open flames and flammable material is not allowed inside the Center for Senior Life, with the exception of the closely supervised use of small flame producing devices such as candles on cakes and sterno-type materials used to maintain food temperatures. The following flame-producing devices that may not be used include, but are not limited to, the following: torches, incense burners, charcoal grills, and candle centerpieces. Please be advised that if this rule is violated, a user may be required to vacate the Center and may be barred from further use of the facility.
12. Thermostat Controls – A user of the Center for Senior Life shall not attempt to make adjustment to the thermostat controls. The user(s) of the Center will be financially liable for any damage caused from tampering with these instruments.
13. Parking - The parking lot is restricted solely for the use of tenants, clients, program participants and other persons with official business at the Center. Handicap parking is strictly enforced. Violators will be towed.
14. Bicycles – Bicycles are prohibited from the building. A bicycle stand is available in the front of the building.
15. Telephones – The Council does not have a telephone for public use. In case of emergency, you should notify the receptionist, and a social worker will assist you. The receptionist will not be responsible for taking messages for participants.
16. Computer Lab – The computer lab is available for the use of older adults; children are prohibited without special approval from the Executive Director. No food or drink is allowed in the computer lab. Users are asked to respect others by keeping their speakers low and refraining from visiting adult websites that may be offensive to others. Violators will be asked to leave and prohibited from future use of the computer lab.
17. TV Lounge – The TV Lounge is available for the use of older adults; children are prohibited unless accompanied by an adult or with special approval from the Executive Director. No food or drink is allowed in the TV lounge, and persons using the TV are requested to keep the volume low enough so as not to disturb other participants and to turn off the TV when vacating the room.
18. Music and CD Players – Participants wishing to play music during an unscheduled activity should keep the music low enough as to not disturb other participants.
19. Personal Losses and Damages – The Council for Senior Citizens is not responsible for lost, damaged or misplaced property placed in or on its faculties or grounds. Furthermore, the Council is released and discharged from any and all liability for loss, injury, or damage to persons or property that may be sustained arising out of the use or occupancy of the Center for Senior Life and its grounds.
20. Suspension from the Center - The Executive Director or an agent appointed by the Executive Director, may, at his/her discretion, request any participant to leave the Center if the person is deemed to be disruptive, poses a potential danger to the well-being of others or himself/herself, is engaged in any illegal activity, or violates any of the regulations of the Council for Senior Citizens.
21. Abuse of Operational Rules - Any person who abuses the operational rules or any other laws or policies applicable to the Center for Senior Life may be required to vacate the Center and may be barred from further use.
22. Compliance with Applicable Laws – Persons using the Durham Center for Senior Life shall comply with all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

These policies and regulations may be amended at any time by the Executive Director.