SAN FRANCISCO, CA – San Francisco Recreation and Park Department officials broke ground today on a renovation project that will update the interior of the South Sunset Clubhouse into a more dynamic space, enhancing its ability to serve seniors in the City’s Sunset District.
Located within South Sunset Playground, the Clubhouse serves as a hub for some 200 neighborhood seniors daily. The organization Self-Help for the Elderly has operated the Clubhouse for more than 30 years, offering participants daily hot meals, dance classes, fitness classes, activities, and more.
The plan will reconfigure the 2,060 square-foot facility’s floorplan, creating a more open layout. Improvements will include a renovated multi-purpose room, a modernized kitchen, upgrades to the two existing restrooms, an additional new restroom, and extra space for storage. The plan also calls for new sliding glass doors, a roof replacement, repointed brickwork, sewer replacement, upgrades and replacement of utility equipment, landscaping updates, access improvements, new signage, and more.
The renovated space will allow Self-Help for the Elderly to better serve program participants, most of whom are low-income, monolingual Cantonese speakers, ensuring they remain stimulated through physical activity and social interaction.
The $5.3 million project received $3 million in funding through the City’s 2020 Health and Recovery Bond. State Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) secured an additional $2.3 million in state budget funding.
“I want our seniors to age with dignity and enjoy their independence, and today’s groundbreaking marks a big step in that direction for Westside residents. Investment in these kinds of community spaces allows them to live out their golden years in safe, nurturing environments among people they know and in neighborhoods they’re familiar with. Once complete, the Clubhouse will help our elders thrive,” said Ting, whose district includes the Sunset.
"It's wonderful what Self Help for the Elderly has been able to do with a limited space to give seniors a place to sing, dance, socialize, and live their best lives. Now, with this expansion our seniors will have even more room to shine,” said District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio.
"For over three decades, Self Help for the Elderly has been a lifeline for our city’s seniors, especially within the Chinese community—delivering essential services, fostering connection, and preserving dignity. They’ve not only provided care but created a trusted, culturally rooted community that keeps our elders engaged, valued, and supported,” said SF Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “A special thanks to Assemblymember Ting, whose unwavering support for our parks was integral to bringing this project to life. This renovation simply wouldn’t have been possible without his dedication.”
“Many thanks to Assemblymember Ting and the SF Rec and Park Department for helping our seniors’ dreams come true,” said Self-Help for the Elderly President and CEO Anni Chung. “Since 1992, our organization has provided daily meals, social services, and activities to thousands of seniors and residents of the Sunset District. The renovation will increase our capacity to serve more seniors in the future.”
The Clubhouse was originally built in 1949 by San Francisco architect William Merchant and last renovated in 1991 which included an addition to the Clubhouse. The 4-acre neighborhood park South Sunset Playground also features athletic fields, multiple sports courts, and a playground.
The Clubhouse’s anticipated reopening is slated for early 2026.
Press release, November 14, 2024
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