Community leaders and local seniors celebrate new Senior Recreation Center at ribbon-cutting event

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Sept. 22, 2011) — Community leaders and ElderCare of Alachua County officials joined today with local seniors at a ribbon-cutting event for the new City of Gainesville/Alachua County Senior Recreation Center. The state-of-the-art, 17,000-square-foot recreation and activity center was completed this summer and is the first of its kind in the area. Speakers at the event included Anthony Clarizio, ElderCare of Alachua County executive director; Charles T. Corley, Florida Department of Elder Affairs secretary; Lee Pinkoson, Alachua County Board of County Commissioners chair; and Craig Lowe, Gainesville mayor.

The center, which will be fully open and operational on Jan. 2, 2012, has come to fruition through collaboration between ElderCare of Alachua County, a program of Shands HealthCare; the Florida Department of Elder Affairs; the Wild Spaces/Public Places program initiative; the City of Gainesville; and Alachua County.

Until now, Alachua County was one of the few Florida counties without a dedicated multi-service senior center as an active focal point where seniors can socialize, access services, participate in fun and educational activities, volunteer and stay engaged with their peers and the broader community.

“We are excited to now have a facility like this for the seniors in our area and to be able to provide diverse programming to meet the needs of our growing senior population,” Clarizio said. “The Senior Recreation Center will provide a place for seniors to socialize, learn new skills and exercise, among many other things. We are dedicated to helping to improve the quality of life for our seniors.”

ElderCare of Alachua County will coordinate diverse recreational and educational programming for seniors at the new center. The facility features nine classrooms; a teaching kitchen; a large multi-purpose room available for rent; a courtyard and patio; a fitness room; and a computer lab. While the full range of activities will be available when the center formally opens in January, seniors can currently take advantage of some programs that have already begun. The calendar is available at http://eldercare.ufhealth.org/senior-recreation-center/.

According to the Florida Department of Elder Affairs 2010 County Profile, Alachua County has a total population of 256,052. The number of residents over 60 is 38,242 – a 7.3 percent increase in the number of seniors reflected in 2009 figures. The Senior Recreation Center has been designed to address and meet the needs of this growing senior population as well to support the needs of the family members and loved ones who provide care for them. Studies on seniors show that activities, socialization and enhanced community connectedness can prevent depression, decrease feelings of isolation and increase quality of life.

“Numerous seniors in Gainesville and around Alachua County have expressed their desire for a facility like this,” Clarizio said. “We’re proud to have been able to collaborate with everyone involved and make this a reality.”

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For more information:

http://eldercare.ufhealth.org/

http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us/