SOUTH HADLEY — As she pulled up in her car to the town’s brand new Senior Center last week, Sue Goldstein’s mood was obvious from her celebratory outfit.
Bright sparkles radiated from the clothes Goldstein was wearing as she stepped out of her car during a curbside event at the new building. With a big smile, she blew on a party horn and threw her hands in the air.
“I’ve been waiting and waiting,” the 66-year-old Goldstein said. “Just to get things back to normal.”
As towns, businesses and community centers begin to reopen amid high vaccination rates against COVID-19, South Hadley seniors have an extra special reopening to look forward to: the grand opening of the town’s new $9.8 million Senior Center.
Though activities won’t start at the facility until July 12, with full in-person events returning in August, the town held a curbside celebration of the building’s completion on June 30. Town officials handed out as many as 400 gift bags, which cars lined up and down the street to receive.
“I love it,” said Sandra Turban, 78. She said she’s looking forward to getting back to making crafts and having delicious lunches. “To see friends and meet new people.”
In May 2019, Town Meeting approved the demolition of the previous Council on Aging building and the construction of a new Senior Center at 45 Dayton St. The old building had been built in 1924 and was once an elementary school. It had limited handicap accessibility, poor ventilation and a dearth of space for activities and events.
A new building was in the works for years, with the first-floor plan created in 2017. The culmination of that work came the opening, as Council on Aging Executive Director Leslie Hennessey and others greeted seniors arriving to receive gift bags.
“We had challenges during the pandemic,” Hennessey said. The Council on Aging was housed in a temporary space at St. Theresa’s Church, and the switch to all virtual programming was difficult. “We knew we weren’t reaching all of our seniors. That was very frustrating for us.”
During that time, the Council on Aging held curbside events as well, which were the impetus for hosting a curbside grand opening. But unlike previous curbside events, most of those attending the June 30 event were unmasked and able to see each other’s faces for the first time in 16 months, Hennessey said.
“It’s a grand opening, and it’s a reopening,” she said.
The Council on Aging was not giving tours of the building at the opening, however. The council hosted a virtual tour of the building last Friday.
The new building is all-inclusive and barrier-free, Hennessee said, noting that the previous building was not entirely accessible for those in wheelchairs, for example. The new design eliminates curb stops and has doorless restrooms, she added.
The new building has more rooms — for small and large groups of people — and a multi-purpose community room for dining, entertainment and townwide events. The Council on Aging will be continuing its previous programming and adding other activities like new exercise classes and evening hours on Tuesdays, Hennessey said.
“It represents a longtime dream for seniors in South Hadley,” Hennessey said. “Having gone through the challenges of the last 16 months, welcoming people into this building is going to be really special for us.”
Dusty Christensen can be reached at dchristensen@gazettenet.com.