Seekonk Senior Center Holds Grand Opening

Seekonk seniors have been waiting a long time for a place to call their own. Three different building committees worked on the project and it has probably been about 15 years, maybe longer, since the town first talked about building a senior center.  The current building committee has been working on it for more than five years. And they finally did it. On Sunday, June 26 a grand opening ceremony was held for the new Seekonk Senior Center at 540 Arcade Avenue.  The new center includes administrative offices for the department of human services and council on aging, meeting rooms, a large kitchen, reception area and large community room where luncheons and other activities can take place.

Everyone praised the state-of-the-art facility and thanked those who made it possible. About 100 people attended the opening to get a first look and be part of the special occasion.  Several people took a tour of the new 6,000 square-foot facility. “This is fantastic. It’s the biggest success we could have hoped for.  It’s architecturally beautiful,” said Bev Hart. Many also felt that it had been a long time coming. “It’s about time,” said Richard Perry, a member of the building committee. “It’s beautiful. I love it. It was a long time coming, but it’s finally here,” said Terry McGregor, whose husband was a member of one of the previous committees.  He has since passed away.

Town Administrator Shawn Cadime opened the ceremony, saying it’s been a long journey and “our seniors absolutely deserve this wonderful facility.” He thanked everyone who supported the project, and recognized the board of selectmen and building committee for advocating for the center. “I think everybody is ecstatic especially the senior center building committee and board of selectmen for finishing this long journey,” Cadime said earlier. Cadime said many people donated to the project and recognized the Seekonk Lions Club for their significant donation, which paid for all the appliances in the kitchen. Committee Chairman Dave Bowden thanked the committee, the architect and the contractor.  He said when a 101 year-old woman came through the door recently and said ‘I never thought I’d live to see this day,’ that made it all worthwhile. Many people acknowledged the dedication of Bowden and Jack Vatcher, project manager and clerk of the works – for all the time and effort they volunteered on the project. “Without the two of those individuals being here on a day to day basis I don’t think that we would have gotten this project done on time,” Cadime said. “I think without Dave and Jack we wouldn’t be able to do it,” said Bob McLintock, former selectman and school committee member who served on the committee.

State Rep. Steve Howitt presented citations to each member of the building committee – Dave Bowden, Gail Ardito, Bob Blanchard, Richard Perry, Bob McLintock, Jan Tabor and Jack Vatcher. Selectman Nelson Almeida spoke about seeing the old senior center on Pleasant Street for the first time.  (The facility was often criticized for its dilapidated condition, lack of space and privacy and the fact that it was on the second floor.) Almeida said he was surprised at its condition and the fact that it had only two rooms. He said that an employee told him it was a temporary location and when he asked how long it had been temporary, she said ‘15 years.’ “For me it was a shame to see that,” Almeida said. “It’s about time the town came together and brought this to light.”

Bernadette Huck, Director of Human Services and the Council on Aging, commended the committee and the town for getting the senior center built. “Through the efforts of the committee, they were able to get it done.  We’re very, very proud of what we have here.  I want to thank the town for following through on this,” Huck said. “Like most seniors, they do everything for everybody else and put themselves last and finally we are going to be able to be first,” Huck said.

Bowden and Vatcher were happy that the senior center was completed. “I feel 25 pounds lighter than I did a week ago.  I feel great.  It’s fantastic,” Bowden said. “I’m glad it’s all done.  Everybody’s happy and that’s what matters.  In the long run, we did everything we said we were going to do,” Vatcher said. Everyone went outside and Bowden and Huck cut the ribbon signifying the official opening of the center, with Cadime, members of the committee and many seniors happily looking on.