Senior center opening today
By Steve Herring
Published in News on October 16, 2012 1:46 PM
It will be late this month or early November before the county moves into its new and larger Senior Center at 2001 E. Ash St., but today, it will be dedicated as the Peggy M. Seegars Senior Center.
A 2 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony will officially name the 19,000-square-foot facility in recognition of Mrs. Seegars' longtime support of local senior citizens. She has, county officials said, been a tireless advocate for their causes.
A founding member of the Senior Tar Heel Legislature, Mrs. Seegars has advised lawmakers on priorities for older adults and provides recommendations that will improve the lives of senior citizens, the officials said.
Mrs. Seegars was recognized for her years of service to senior citizens by the Eastern Carolina Council Area Agency of Aging in 2011 its Aging Leadership Award.
When the move is made, the center will not only extend its hours, but offer new programs as well.
It will be open from 7:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. On Wednesday, it will be open from 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Hot meals are served Monday through Friday at the Senior Center through the WAGES meal program. The dining room can seat 210. A movable wall for an adjoining exercise room allows the dining area to be expanded to hold 260.
The center also boasts a full-size commercial-grade kitchen.
The county plans to make the dining room available for rent.
The new center is located in the building that once housed Sportsman's World. The county bought it and two outlying buildings last year.
One of the other buildings has been renovated and houses the Veterans Services office and Literacy Connections.
A park-like area will be built near that building and an enclosed patio area near the Senior Center for people with Alzheimer's or similar health problems.