Residents welcome Olive Branch reopening

Rick Kepner celebrated two occasions at the Sun Health Olive Branch Senior Center - his birthday and the opening of the new location.

During lunch, Kepner cut several pieces of chocolate cake and shared with people at the table as well as with those around him.

"It's the perfect time to do this and whatever better opportunity than now on my birthday, especially since we've been here for a few days," he said.

The senior center reopened July 7 after moving from 107th and Peoria avenues to a 9,000 square-foot building on the United Church of Sun City campus. The new space accommodates more residents, room for activities, extra offices for staff, as well as a state-of-art dining room and kitchen.

There also are more parking spaces to accommodate people at the center.

Pamela Meyerhoffer, CEO of Sun Health Foundation, said she's pleased with the new center and believes it'll serve even more residents.

"We're excited to be moved in and expect to have a major grand opening in September, when more people come back," she said.

Meyerhoffer said she thanks the United Church of Sun City for its cooperation.

In 2007, the church agreed to invest in a remodeling project of Witt Hall to accommodate the senior center, which had outgrown its headquarters. The staff had hoped to open the doors on the new building in late June but settled for July.

In the meantime, the Sun City Country Club served meals to residents at its facilities and prepared food for the home-delivery program for almost a month. They prepared almost a 100 meals a day for delivery and served between 70 to 120 people at the country club during the week.

"They've been such a service to us and the residents because the people didn't have to drive a distance to receive their meals," Meyerhoffer said.

Finch Baker, an Olive Branch volunteer, said he loves the new building and enjoys the space.

"It's beautiful and everyone has a little more room to spread out," he said.

Baker also said the parking lot won't be as congested.

"We had to share with a bank, Walgreens and thrift shops, so it was hard to find a space at times but not anymore," he said.

Dot Hayman has been coming to the Olive Branch Senior Center, since the beginning almost 20 years ago.

"I'm glad to be back with friends after not being in the same place for several weeks, this place is more than a center but a community," she said.