"The Transformation of Gangnam Senior Center"... Converted into an Open Senior Center with a Screen Park Golf Course

Dogok Senior Center, New Model for Senior Centers for Ages 60 and Over
Seoul's First Senior Center Screen Park Golf Class

Senior centers in Gangnam are becoming younger. Gangnam-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) announced on the 19th that the old Dogok Senior Center, which has been in operation for over 30 years, has been renovated and transformed into a Gangnam-style open senior center, and will be pilot-operated.

To address the issues faced by existing public senior centers, which are struggling due to aging facilities and a decline in users, the district introduced a new operational model called the Gangnam-style open senior center. Since private senior centers within apartment complexes built after reconstruction offer the latest facilities and various programs, highlighting the gap with existing public senior centers, the introduction of a new operational model was necessary.

A resident learning indoor screen park golf. Provided by Gangnam-gu.

While most senior centers operate as membership-based self-help groups for residents aged 65 and older living in the jurisdictional neighborhood, the Gangnam-style open senior center is open to all district residents aged 60 and above and operates mainly through classes that can attract active seniors.

In particular, reflecting its location within Dogok Magpie Park, the Dogok Senior Center will be reborn as the “Maebong Senior Center-affiliated Park Golf Academy.” After confirming the high popularity of park golf among residents with the opening of the Tancheon Park Golf Course in June, the district plans to install two indoor screen park golf facilities in an 84.3㎡ space on the first floor of the Dogok Senior Center, allowing residents to enjoy park golf regardless of the season.

This is the first case in Seoul where screen park golf facilities are installed in a senior center, and a professional instructor will be invited to systematically operate the program. Construction began last month, with completion scheduled for the 26th of this month, and a grand opening ceremony will be held next month to start the pilot operation.

District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong stated, “The first Gangnam-style open senior center will overcome the limitations of existing senior centers and become an open space that more residents can use,” adding, “We will create a pioneering senior center model that supports leisure activities and health promotion in preparation for a super-aged society.”