New Redwood City veterans, senior center unveiled: Facility honors local veterans and San Francisco 49ers historical practices at Red Morton Park

The ceremony honored the many Redwood City staff, councilmembers, veterans and seniors who had an impact on the development, which was imagined nearly 20 years ago as a multigenerational campus at Red Morton Park.

“This space represents our commitment to honor those who have served our country, supporting our older adults, creating meaningful community connections and investing in the future of Redwood City,” Tiarra Warner, director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, said. 

The 45,000-square-foot modern facility includes multipurpose rooms, an auditorium, wellness and fitness areas, indoor pickleball and dedicated spaces for programming, services and community events. 

Through leadership and dedicated involvement, the city’s Senior Affairs Commission played an integral role in developing the facility to meet the needs of older residents. The commission strived to “capture the heart” of these residents and “be honest and brave” in representing the city’s aging population, commission Chair Jaqueline Hartman said. 

“I’m so grateful that we have the most beautiful new third space that welcomes everyone and all generations on the Peninsula,” Hartman said. “It is a happy day and it happened because of all of you and all these beautiful people.”

The building will also serve as a hub of resources for veterans, and honor local veterans with multimedia exhibits commemorating their lives of service. Once a month, veterans from a variety of groups gather to share stories, fight for representative legislation and support one another, military veteran Leo McArdle said. 

“I encourage any veterans out there that don’t belong to a veterans group to try to attend and see what’s going on,” McArdle said. “I look forward to the whole place here getting activated and us doing our thing.” 

McArdle acknowledged the veterans in attendance, including 102-year-old World War II veteran Cliff, who were integral to the building’s development. 

Another aspect of Redwood City’s history is also on display. The facility includes exhibits highlighting the history of the San Francisco 49ers and the NFL Alumni Association in Redwood City. The San Francisco-based football team once practiced on the fields at Red Morton Park from 1956-88. 

“This park has stories in it,” Martínez Saballos said. “From the athletes that trained here, the veterans who served and then came home to build lives here, the seniors who raise their families here, started business and made this community what it is — their history is our history and it deserves to be honored in a place that will last.”

Steve Young, former 49ers quarterback and member of the NFL Hall of Fame, remembers his first day on the team, driving up to the Red Morton Park fields for practice. People would walk up to the chain-link fence lining the grass, and watch as players like Young and Joe Montana practiced, with former coach Bill Walsh at the helm. 

Before the season began in 1987, Young recalled Walsh gathering the team to make a speech.  

“He said, ‘I don’t care what play we call, I don’t care what defense we run — the reason why we’re going to win is because we have shared common experiences together and an element of love for each other,” Young said. 

The success of the 49ers was because of those key elements and a belief in “values over results,” Young said. The message rings true for the success and strength of any community, he said. 

“This building is a representation, because we’re all aging,” Young said. “But you know what, we don’t age and die, we age and thrive. And this building is about thriving.” 

Construction of the Veterans Memorial Building/Senior Center began in 2021, and was developed to replace the old, aging facility found next door, which will eventually be demolished and replaced with a new YMCA building. 

The upgraded facility will continue offering programs beloved by senior residents in Redwood City, including the popular senior lunch program. 

The YMCA of Silicon Valley is continuing to raise funds for the future adjacent facility, which is designed to include indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness and wellness center, and a childcare center with capacity to serve 72 children. Once funding is secured, it is estimated to take two years to construct. 

Before welcoming in hundreds of guests into the building’s doors, Mayor Martínez Saballos said the Veterans Memorial Building/Senior Center reflected the city’s commitment to honoring its past and planning for a welcoming, community-centric future. 

“Every community needs places where people don’t just pass through, but where they belong,” Martínez Saballos said. 

The Veterans Memorial Building/Senior Center is located at 1333 Madison Ave. The facility will open for the senior lunch program starting May 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Full programming and access throughout the building will begin June 8.