Thanks to funding from a penny sales tax, the Gainesville Senior Life Center on Prior Street has had a major facelift.
City and county officials got together Friday afternoon to celebrate the renovated space with an open house and ribbon-cutting.
Phillippa Lewis-Moss, Director of the Community Service Center, said the process of renovating the center - from the idea stage to actual renovated space - had taken nine years. She said opening the doors on the new space was "euphoric."
"So many people have been supporting this project for nine years," Lewis-Moss said. "They have waited with bated breath to get into this building, so to see them here, to see them enjoying the music, fellowshipping, meant everything to me."
Not only did the exterior of the building get a makeover, but also the interior of the facility was freshened up. That means, more people can take advantage of what the Senior Life Center has to offer.
"We're looking to cater to a larger population of retirees," Lewis-Moss said.
She said the center already has an established clientele, but there are more senior adults who could benefit from the offerings at the facility.
"Our computer lab is awesome, we have a beautiful library sponsored by Cresswinds Foundation, we've got a great game room," Lewis-Moss said. "I'm really excited about the arts and crafts room because we have a kiln so we can actually start doing pottery."
In addition, the center has a teaching kitchen and in the future, the staff plans to open up a relaxation, prayer and meditation room.
Lewis-Moss said now that there's more space, the center can host special events - such as a bridge tournament coming up in September.
Total cost for the renovation was about $1.5 million with funding coming from SPLOST dollars.
"
