By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The five gray-haired ladies were almost giddy as they sat under a tent in the rain Friday morning.
“It’s magnificent,” said Lyn Long as she and her friends waited for the official ribbon cutting at the new Wood County Senior Center in Bowling Green.
The women had already seen sneak peaks of the facility at 140 S. Grove St., when they attended their regular “Breakfast for the Brain” program there.
“We saw ‘Hamilton’” the movie, Pat Limes added. “The movie room is wonderful, with a huge selection of movies.”
The ladies were looking forward to gathering for luncheons once again – more than a year after congregate meals were discontinued due to COVID.
“I thought that I would probably die before they got it done. But here I am,” Jo Vernon said with a grin. “It’s beyond expectations.”
The women were also excited about getting back to their regular exercise classes.
“I’m looking forward to that again,” Limes said.
The ladies talked about conversations with friends in other counties – none who have a senior center or services like here in Wood County.
“We all expect to get a few years of use from it,” Linda Frizzell said about the new senior center.
Sitting in front of the ladies was Dallas Dean, who has no interest in yoga or other exercise classes. He is, however, ready for congregate meals to be served up again.
“We always come up at suppertime,” Dean said. “This is a real nice place, compared to the last one.”
The ceremonial ribbon may have been soggy, but the spirits could not be dampened by the weather.
“This is the beautiful facility we’ve been dreaming about for so many years,” said the master of ceremonies Clint Corpe, from The Morning Show.
For decades the senior center had made its home in the old post office at 305 N. Main St. In 2016, city officials approached the Wood County Committee on Aging about the opportunity to move to a new site on South Grove Street.
The $7.9 million new facility got a jumpstart with $1.6 million from the state, supported by then State Sen. Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green, and State Rep. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green.
“We don’t support capital projects unless you have faith in the organization, you trust the leader, you trust the board,” and if it serves the citizens, Gardner said as he recognized Denise Niese, director of the Wood County Committee on Aging.
Gavarone spoke of the value of bringing Bowling Green State University and the senior center together to collaborate.
“What a great way to train and educate our next generation,” she said.
State Rep. Haraz Ghanbari, R-Perrysburg, said he looked forward to joining local seniors at the facility for coffee, lunch, or a card game.
“I believe that this facility will serve as a lasting testament of what a community can do when it comes together,” he said.
Congressman Bob Latta, R-Bowling Green, praised the foresight of those who planned for years to make the building a reality.
“It’s a little damp, but it’s a great day,” he said. “This is an absolutely gorgeous facility.”
The opening of the new 38,000-square-foot senior center comes after a year of construction and of COVID, reminded Eric Myers, president of the Wood County Committee on Aging. He praised the staff for handling both challenges.
“What a humbling moment it is to stand in front of this big crowd,” Myers said.
The center represents a major community investment “for our most cherished population,” he said.
The facility will provide older adults with services and programs to improve the quality of their lives, Myers said.
“This new facility is a reflection of that commitment,” he said.
“It shows the collective power of your generosity and what we can accomplish if we work together,” Myers said.
One of those community partners on the project is BGSU.
“Congratulations on this major accomplishment,” said Sue Houston, chief of staff at the university.
The new senior center has space dedicated to BGSU classes and collaboration for students.
“How wonderful it is to see this come to fruition,” Houston said. “We look forward to building on this partnership.”
Wood County Commissioners Doris Herringshaw and Craig LaHote also spoke of how the facility will benefit the entire county.
“Things like this don’t happen in many counties,” Herringshaw pointed out. “It will be a great asset for all of us.”
Mayor Mike Aspacher said the new facility is an example of teamwork.
“This shows how government works together to improve the lives of its citizens,” he said. “Everybody in government and the community rolled up their sleeves” to make the dream a reality.
Also offering their praises were Mark Cassin of State Bank, Michael Dukat of Dukat Architects, and Brian Geefe of Mosser Construction.
When it came time for the ribbon cutting, four seniors over 90 years old were front and center with scissors. Emmy Hann, Norma Hoover, and George and Nancy Seifert had the honors.
“Home sweet home,” one senior said as she entered the front doors of the facility.
Seniors and other guests toured the fireplace/library lounge, meeting rooms, classrooms, movie room, exercise rooms, billiard room, and the large dining room.
“I’m going to be calling bingo here,” said Jan Higgenbotham as she gazed over the room. “This is nothing like the old place.”
Jack Schell, of Bowling Green, said he plans to get back to congregate dining. “When they have something we like, we come up.”
And Cheryl Windisch voiced her appreciation for the new building.
“It is totally amazing. I’m so glad Bowling Green came together to build this,” she said.
As she glanced out the windows of the center, she pointed out the home where she grew up – next door to the new facility.
“I know my mom and dad would have loved to have been a part of this,” Windisch said.
