Central Whidbey seniors won’t have to travel north or south much longer for senior programs.

The Town of Coupeville is partnering with Senior Services and Coupeville United Methodist Church to add activities and programs following Senior Services’ regular Wednesday lunch, which has been offered since 2011.

In 2012, the mid-week gathering expanded to offer Bingo a couple times a month.

Volunteer site manager Rosalind Dailey Rohrer said she serves 16-24 seniors each week.

Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard said it’s been an ongoing conversation between the three groups about creating some kind of programming.

Fast forward to next month, and the official Coupeville HUB for Seniors will start programs.

“It was kind of the brain child of all of us,” Conard said. “We thought we could serve more seniors if we had more activities and programming.”

The HUB will offer the existing Wednesday meal along with regular programs and services on Wednesdays and some Fridays.

Conard took the idea to Coupeville Town Council during a recent work session to provide financial support for the idea.

Council gave informal approval of the idea, and Conard is currently working on a budget revision, which she hopes to bring to council next month.

Town of Coupeville will be paying Senior Services about $10,000 to aid in the creation of the HUB, Conard said.

Some of that money will be going to pay Coupeville HUB Resource Coordinator Glenda Cantrell.

In setting up the programs, Cantrell said she’s looking at an equal representation of fun/crafty–type activities, musical entertainment and education. Activities will all be free. Senior Services does request a $4 donation for meals.

However, Cantrell said no one will be turned away.

Already in the line up for October will be musical performances by local musicians, pumpkin painting, crafts and educational programs focused on skin and hearing health.

Conard said the HUB will offer the fun activities, but also has the benefit offering seniors some of the health and education programs Senior Services offers.

Pastor Jin Ming Ma, from Coupeville United Methodist Church, will also be offering a program called Sit & Stay Fit the first and third Fridays of the month.

And, of course, bingo will still be offered monthly.

Cantrell said she’s already surveyed attendees on what kinds of activities they’d like to see and she’s open to any suggestions.

“The sky’s the limit on what we can do,” she said.

All meals and programs are held at the Methodist church on North Main Street. The meal begins at noon and all programming begins at 1 p.m.