JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After six years in the making, the doors have opened to a new spot for senior citizens in the Jacksonville area to gather.
Thursday marked the grand opening of the Southside Community Center for Seniors.
“None of this would be possible without the seniors expressing the need for this center, and for their participation in all of our centers across the city of Jacksonville,” said Gloria Crawford, chief of city services.
Jacksonville City Councilman Kevin Carrico said it’s been a long road.
“A long work in progress, but we’re here to cut that ribbon and open this place up to our seniors and our community for years to come,” Carrico said.
The councilman said the centralized spot for seniors is essential.
“It’s state of the art as you can see,” he said. “There’s waterfront views, there’s gonna be great activities here for seniors to come and have a place to be — a sense of belonging,” Carrico said.
Carrico said the funding for the center was allocated in 2016. He said COVID set it back a bit, along with the supply chain issues, and it was used as a Regeneron site during the pandemic.
Seniors will be able to get lunches at the center every week, Monday through Friday, along with breakfast three days a week.