Dunedin senior center sparkles

The renovated activity center makes its debut after $1.7-million in renovations during the past year.

By LEON M. TUCKER, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published May 10, 2002

DUNEDIN -- Near 90-degree temperatures didn't deter the hundreds who wanted a peek at the newly renovated Dr. William E. Hale Senior Activity Center, which had its grand opening Thursday.

The center's $1.7-million renovation to add 11,000 square feet took about a year to complete. The work came about out of increased interest in the senior computer class offered there.

Now, in addition to a new 14-terminal computer lab, visitors have more classrooms, an exercise room, game room, consignment shop and ballroom where weekly dances will be held.

Additional office space for staffers and volunteers as well as a new kitchen also comes with the renovation.

"This is a great day for the city of Dunedin," said Mayor Tom Anderson. "Dunedin has so many great facilities, this is just another jewel in the crown of the city."

With the help of the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, a nonprofit group that helps provide programs for elders, the city received $600,000 for the renovations from the state, with the rest coming from Pennies for Pinellas tax dollars.

The south side of the former building -- nearly 60 years old -- was demolished and replaced with more office and meeting space.

Outside the beige building is a decorative landscape that includes palm and oak trees.

Brick pavers lead to the center's plantation-style double doors, and beyond the entrance is a grand foyer, complete with shiny tile floor and two gold-colored chandeliers.

City commissioners in November named the center for Hale, chairman of the Dunedin City Committee on Aging and founder of the Florida Geriatric Research Program at Morton Plant Hospital.

"I'm humbled and appreciative of this," said Hale at the opening. "This community has been great to me and it feels good to know that you're making a little bit of a difference."

The center's hours are 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Fridays. It is closed weekends.

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