04/24/2026
New Senior Center Coming to Ooltewah as Hamilton County Builds on Community Investments
HAMILTON COUNTY, TN (April 24, 2026) — The Hamilton County Health Department, under the Health and Social Services Division, in partnership with Hamilton County Parks and Recreation, today announced plans for a new senior center to serve the Ooltewah and Collegedale communities. This project marks the third community center investment in the area in recent years, following the Harrison and Birchwood Community Centers, and will serve as the county’s first dedicated senior center, providing a welcoming space for connection and access to programs and services for older adults.
“Building on the momentum of our first community center in Harrison, we are excited to launch Hamilton County’s very first senior center,” said Matt Folz, Director of Hamilton County Parks and Recreation. “We look forward to working closely with the community to create a vibrant space filled with services and programming tailored specifically for our seniors."
To maintain continuity of care, the Health Department will transition its Ooltewah Health Clinic while maintaining access to essential services through a mobile unit, which will be available at the Ooltewah location every Monday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.—the same days the clinic currently operates. The mobile unit will provide the full range of core services previously offered at the clinic, including immunizations, family planning, and STI testing and treatment. Women, Infants & Children (WIC) services will continue to be available by appointment at the 3rd Street and Birchwood locations.
“This partnership presents an exciting opportunity for our community,” said Beka Bohannon, Administrator of Health and Social Services. “This transition allows us to continue providing essential health services in the Ooltewah area while creating a valuable new resource for our aging population. The Health Department will also offer community health programs within the senior center, helping us better serve residents of all ages.”
With the clinic’s transition on May 1, the current building will be renovated into a new senior center for the Ooltewah and Collegedale communities. Hamilton County Parks and Recreation will host community listening sessions to gather input from residents on programming and amenities for the new space.
“This move allows us to stay agile,” said David Roddy, Chief Operating Officer of Hamilton County. “We are bringing care directly to the community through our mobile unit while simultaneously repurposing a county asset to support our senior population, offering a more efficient way to serve every generation.”
The Health Department remains committed to ensuring residents continue to have access to care throughout this transition. Beginning May 1, all current clinic staff will remain in place and transition to the 3rd Street clinic. For more information, visit Health.HamiltonTN.org or call 423-209-8000.
