The Fannin County Senior Center has officially reopened its doors to the excitement of seniors and staff alike.
Since closing down for restoration after pipes burst and flooded the building on Christmas Eve 2022, the senior center has been without a central gathering place for its pre-flooding numbers of 30 to 35 members.
Opening its fresh new doors on August 10, 2023, the reopening event was a huge success, pulling in roughly 25 senior citizens to celebrate. The event was adorned with decorative streamers and featured a family meal served by the center’s faculty and even a few senior volunteers. Pam Godfrey, Senior Center site manager, said, “We are so blessed to be back...[staff] is glad to be back too!” She isn’t the only one overjoyed with the reopening as many of the seniors expressed their excitement over the building’s improvement and the ability to interact with the people they consider to be family.
“Glad to be back because this is home,” says Robin Johnson, a member of the Senior Center family. Many of the seniors echo this sentiment, “This has been such a joy to be back! They did such a beautiful job...,” says Joyce Isetts.
“...We’re all family... We miss one person when they’re gone,” says center member Sue Lewis of the atmosphere at the senior center.
The center has proven itself to be a very valuable service to Fannin County’s senior citizens, providing each member with support and family for those who may not have familial support. Several members of the center have expressed their thanks to the Mountain Area Transportation System, with Joyce Isetts saying, “We wouldn’t be able to be here without M.A.T.S.”
Blue Ridge City Councilman Jack Taylor discovered the Christmas Eve disaster at the center.
Since then, Fannin County commissioners have been working to reopen the facility.
Commission Chairman Jamie Hensley said the center has now received a “basic overhaul.”
The floor had to be completely replaced, extensive wall damage repaired and, of course, the plumbing had to be fixed.
Water pipes have been insulated and additional insulation has also been blown into the walls.
But the overhaul of the facility is not stopping now that the inside is complete.
The outside is getting much needed repairs and will also be pressure washed when everything is finished.
Fannin County employees did the overhaul and continue to work on the exterior.
“I’m really proud of the hard work our folks put into getting the Senior Center reopened. I know it’s been tough on the seniors and staff alike. It’s good to see them back in a place they call “home”,” Hensley said.