North Plains Senior Center Re-Opens
North Plains Senior Center Re-Opens with Help and Support from Residents of North Plains Senior Plaza
Irene Kay, 99-year-old resident of North Plains Senior Plaza, was the highlight of the Grand Re-Opening of the North Plains Senior Center on Thursday, May 28th. Irene had the special honor of cutting the ribbon to mark the official re-opening of the Senior Center after several months of renovations.
Last year, the North Plains Senior Center received a Community Development Block Grant to fund the rehabilitation and expansion of the existing commercial kitchen, a replacement of the walk-in cooler/freezer and an expansion of the activity room on the first floor. Construction began November of 2013.
The Senior Center is an integral part of the North Plains community, especially to North Plains Senior Plaza residents. With a population of less than 2,000, there are few places in North Plains for seniors to gather and be active members of the community. Many residents of North Plains Senior Plaza not only volunteer and socialize at the Senior Center, but also count on them for meals.
The Senior Center provides hot lunches to seniors in the area and is also the serving site for Meals on Wheels. While the Senior Center was being remodeled, seniors who depended on the Center for lunch were redirected to the North Plains Senior Plaza kitchen and dining hall. Meals were prepared by Senior Center volunteers and seniors who would normally be served at the Center were instead served at North Plains Senior Plaza.
Home to many Senior Center volunteers and members, North Plains Senior Plaza was glad to open its kitchen and facilities to fill the place of the Center while it was under construction.
At the ribbon cutting ceremony, the Mayor of North Plains, David Hatcher, reminded the crowd of the importance of senior centers and the good they do for our community.
“The Senior Center currently provides 1,200 meals each month, a number projected to increase by 30% over the next few years,” he said.
The Mayor also noted that seniors need a place “to socialize, exercise and enjoy friendships and personal contact with friends and neighbors.”
North Plains Senior Plaza, managed by Cascade Management, was happy to step in at a time of need for North Plains seniors and act as a welcoming space for preparing and enjoying meals.