Senior Center Plans to Move — Again

Just a few short months ago, the Centre Region Senior Center moved from its long time address in the Fraser Center in downtown State College to its current location in the Nittany Valley Mall. Now, it looks like the center is moving again.

On Jan. 26, the Centre County commissioners unanimously voted to use county contingency funds to renovate a large vacant space in the mall, just a few doors down from where the center is currently operating. The proposal was also approved by the Centre County Council of Governments Jan. 25.

‘We’re excited this project is moving forward,’ said Ronald Woodhead, director of the Centre Region Park and Recreation Authority. ‘It’s going to open up a lot more opportunities for seniors around the county. It’s a great project we’re happy to be a part of.’

According to Woodhead, the decision to move from its Fraser location — where it had been situated since 1986 — came after hearing from visitors to the center who said the traffic and congestion in the downtown made it hard to attend events and functions there.

‘People wanted somewhere they could get in and out of easily,’ said Woodhead. ‘Downtown, that just wasn’t feasible. We searched for a location and found a spot in the mall. We didn’t have time to renovate the area we wanted to right away, so we decided to renovate a smaller area and use that as our interim center until the larger area could be renovated for occupancy.’

According to Woodhead, the center is currently operating in about 3,200-square feet. The new space to be renovated measures just over 7,000-square feet.

‘Graciously, the people at the mall have allowed us to use another room in the building in the meantime,’ said Woodhead. ‘Soon, we’re going to have a lot more space to do a lot more things. We need it.’

The numbers support Woodhead’s claim. He said between fall 2014 and fall 2015, there has been an increase in attendance at the center of about 57 percent. He said noon meal service has increased by 22 percent.

‘The center is definitely being used, and we can show that we’re seeing people now in the center, from other parts of the county, that normally wouldn’t come in,’ said Woodhead. ‘I think one of the best things we’ve done with this program is moving to the mall. Now, we’re going to be in the space we really wanted to be in.’

Chairman Commissioner Michael Pipe commended Woodhead and his staff’s efforts with the plan.

‘This is not just a great place for seniors,’ commented Pipe. ‘It’s a valuable asset to our community and also offers another way of letting our county residents know of the many services available to them.’

Commissioner Mark Higgins also supported the project and noted the importance of the relationship of officials at the shopping mall with the local government.

‘Kudos for all the work you have put into this,’ Higgins said to Woodhead during the commissioners’ meeting. ‘I’m glad to hear the mall is working together with you in a good spirit of cooperation.’

Following Woodhead’s presentation, the commissioners voted to approve $112,500 from contingency funds to foot the renovation bill.

‘We’re pleased by what the commissioners did for us here this morning,’ Woodhead said. ‘We’re hoping to get the renovation work started in early- to mid-February and we’d like to be in our new space on May 1.’

Woodhead said relocating the senior center to a shopping mall may set a new trend.

‘The people at the mall have fielded several questions about the project,’ he said. ‘It’s truly a pioneering effort.’