Many seniors citizens just want to enjoy their free time. That's why the Plum Senior Community Center is bursting at the seams and making plans to double the size of its facility on New Texas Road.

The center's board of directors this week hired Architectural Innovations of Pittsburgh to design plans for the expansion and renovation of the existing facility. A new fitness center, expanded kitchen, meeting rooms and an events center top the list of improvements that should more than double the size of the 7,500-square-foot building.

The planning stage is expected to last approximately eight months, and officials hope to break ground in summer 2009.

The project could cost as much as $4 million. To date $594,000 in grant money is earmarked for the project. The center is looking for additional grant money and has just begun a serious fund-raising campaign, beginning by selling raffle tickets for a global positioning system.

"We've spent a lot of time doing strategic planning, benchmarking and visiting other facilities," said Nina Segelson, 59, of Plum, who has been the director of the center since 1989.

"There are wonderful opportunities for wellness. This is a dynamic community place where people come together and enjoy each others' company."

About a year ago, the center looked into a partnership with the East Suburban YMCA and UPMC to build a wellness center near the basketball courts in Boyce Park. But that idea went by the wayside when the board of directors decided that the operating costs would be too high.

Now the center has decided that the existing location, which is flanked by the Plum Library on one side and senior housing on the other side, should be expanded. The center has about 1,000 members, making it one of the busiest in Allegheny County.

And the center attracts an active crowd, said center manager Chuck Mossburg. "I've been here five years," he said. "Nobody's in walkers, nobody's in wheelchairs -- it's a place of gathering for fun and activities."

Ms. Segelson said her goal is to make the senior center the center of the community.

"Plum is 29 square miles. It is spread out and nothing here resembles a town. I want to build a better sense of community here," she said. "We have 200 volunteers, answering the phones, delivering meals, making crafts. Civic engagement is a big concept."

Lil Alu, 71, of Plum, volunteers twice a week at the front desk, greeting people and answering the phone.

"We are crowded now. A lot is going on -- games, dancing, exercise, yoga, day trips -- you need to fight for your space," she said.

"I bring my 89-year-old mom with me. The hot lunches are great. Today we are having a roast beef and cheese sandwich, potato salad, coleslaw, fresh fruit and milk.

"This center is a place to make friends, be entertained, get out. Sometimes there is a jazz band in the evening with a nice dinner."

Toni Franco, 55, of Plum, coordinates the Home Delivered Meals program. She has worked at the center for nine years.

"I've loved my job from day one because of the people that come here -- not only the ones I work with but everyone that walks through the door. Having someone to share your life with is important.

"It doesn't seem like work. I find myself laughing every day and having fun."

Meals at the center are provided by the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging. On an average day, 43 meals are delivered to homes and another 35-60 people eat hot lunches at the center.

Darla Wiles, 70, of Plum, is a kitchen aide, packing the meals for the homebound and serving hot lunches. "They sit and eat and talk and enjoy themselves. Sometimes people give talks at mealtime -- how not to have accidents in their homes -- fraud alert, identity theft -- how to be safe at home, avoid falling, symptoms of heart attacks," she said.

"We have a country and western band every Wednesday afternoon. Everyone dances. One dancing couple is in their 90s."

Mary Eror, 80, of Plum, volunteers at the Tuesday night bingo games. "This is a fun place to be because there are all kinds of activities. You feel lonely at home, so you come up here and meet friends. We play cards and take trips," she said.

Lots of trips are offered. They include baseball games, Mellon Arena, the Benedum Center and casinos to tours of Ohio, New York to see a Broadway show, even a cruise around New York Harbor.

Mary Ann Lake, 72, of Plum, took a tour of Amish country. "We were served by an Amish family -- mother and daughters in an Amish home. Then we visited a candle-making studio and saw the covered bridges. This has been a very social thing for me and I've met wonderful people," she said.

It's that kind of activity that has encouraged Ms. Segelson about the expansion.

"I want this to be a one-stop information and referral center where people can get help with Medicare, retirement, taxes and estate planning," she said. "It's time to reach out to the baby boom generation."

For information, go to www.plumseniorcenter.com.