This new Senior Center looks like a pretty cool design.
Draper - Draper's new senior center opens
By Holly Corbett
http://www.draperjournal.com/pages/f...-center-opens/
A grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Dec. 20 at the new Draper Senior Center. Photo courtesy of Julie Arthur
http://www.draperjournal.com
Draper’s seniors have a new place to call their own. Salt Lake County’s newest senior center, located at 1148 East Pioneer Road, features more than 20,000 square feet of space for seniors to socialize, dine, play games, exercise, volunteer and take classes.
“We can offer a lot more opportunities than we could offer at the other center,” said Cyndi McCarty, center manager. “Research is showing that social engagement is as important as body and mind and that it keeps [seniors] happier and healthier longer and living at home longer.”
Among the upgraded offerings at the new Draper Senior Center are billiards, nature groups, book clubs, and classes in computers, dance, ceramics, and pottery. Favorite activities from the old center, such as Wii bowling, bingo, exercise classes, cooking classes, games, and puzzles, will still be available.
“Everybody’s loving it. They’re amazed and astounded. Everybody’s surprised at it -- that it’s a senior center. It’s not a typical senior center,” said McCarty, adding that seniors have noted how much there is to do, how modern the building design is and “how pretty it is.”
Some of the amenities include a fireplace and touchscreens to check-in, order lunch or sign up for classes. There is also a modern dining area called The Gathering Place Cafe. While the cafe will still host a lunch that is available for a suggested $2.50 donation, it will also offer ala carte items that are prepared by an in-house chef for an additional fee.
“There are tons of new seniors coming in every day, checking it out,” said McCarty.
The seniors who have come in are “like kids in a candy store,” she added.
The new center will host longer hours, allowing seniors to gather from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. It is currently the only county-operated senior center that is open on Saturday.
“We want mature adults of all ages from all over the south-end of the valley to come down and experience this brand new community resource,” said Sarah Brenna, Salt Lake County’s Aging Services director, in a press release. “This is the perfect place to meet your friends, learn about community resources that keep us healthy, sign up to explore a new hobby and have an inexpensive, nutritious meal.”
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