Renovated, expanded senior center opens in Glenwood

Senior citizens in Glenwood have a new gathering place to call their own.

The Bloom Senior Center officially opened Monday morning at 20 N. Vine St., on the northeast corner of Town Square.

“You’re at home as soon as you walk in,” former Senior Center manager and longtime volunteer Ted Smith said.

The former Masonic Lodge building has served as the community’s senior center for more than two decades, but recently underwent an $865,000 renovation and expansion, thanks to funding from the Hazel Bloom Trust. The Senior Center was temporarily relocated to the fellowship hall at First Christian Church for several months while Pinnacle Construction oversaw the overhaul of the building.

“We have more room now, a bigger kitchen and the sun room added on to the front,” Senior Center food manager and board president Bonnie Millsap said. “I think Pinnacle Construction did an exceptional job and Pete Franks was the architect. People will be impressed when they see it for the first time.”

The center, which will now bear the name Bloom Senior Center, has always been a popular place for seniors to gather for coffee and conversation in the morning and a place to get a hot meal over the noon hour. Senior Center board members expect the facility to attract some new patrons.

“Everything is new and we’ll be looking to add more programs,” she said. “We’ve been getting about 12-15 people on a regular basis for the meals and about double that for coffee and card playing.”

There is no membership or fees required to come to the Senior Center and the facility and its offerings are open to all ages. The cost for the noon meal is $3.50 for anyone at least 55 years old and $6.50 for persons under that age. A reservation made at least one day in advance is required.

Millsap noted the Senior Center has always been a popular place for afternoon activities, such as cards, dominoes and yoga exercises, but new programs and activities are possibilities in the new facility.

Educational programs – geared toward seniors – could be expanded. Because of the expanded space, Millsap also expects to see an increase in the number of community events taking place at the center. Although the facility hadn’t even officially opened, nearly 150 people came to facility during Glenwood’s recent homecoming celebration. Dozens watched the parade from the spacious sun room built on the front end of the building. The sun room and informal living room area bring a new feel to the center, which is available for private rentals from members of the community.

A public open house and formal ribbon cutting will take place at the Bloom Senior Center Thursday, Oct. 6, from 5-7 p.m.  Community residents are also welcome to stop by for a visit on their own during normal weekday hours.