Upgrades on the way for Miami Seniors' Center
'Since I've been widowed, it has been the highlight of my life.'
For nearly a decade, Pat Jones has made the Miami Seniors' Center her favorite place to be.
'I come out here twice a week, play Mexican train with some very good friends, new friends that I made since I became a member,' said Jones.
What was once old will be new again, and Jones says she's all for it.
'I'm hoping that we have more activities for older people because we don't have a lot in this town.'
'We want to bring back more exciting, wonderful things at the seniors. We want their valued input and to hear what they'd like.' said Melinda Stotts, City of Miami Communications Manager.
Grants funded by community organizations will pay for the roughly ninety-thousand-dollar improvement project.
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'We took a good look at it, and the building was built in 1990-something. And so, our goal was to refresh it, to revitalize it, to make it a really amazing place,' said Stotts.
Currently, the center offers a kitchenette, an on-site gym, and pool tables. The project plans to bring in new activities, games, events, and classes—something Jones says she's looking forward to.
'I love country and western dancing, which my friend and I took a course in when they had it at the Civic Center. I'm hoping they'll offer a course here,' said Jones.
Upgrades also include redoing the floors, adding a fresh coat of paint, and installing a full kitchen with new appliances, which is currently underway.
'Making sure everyone has a good hot meal is so important. So that's part of this and part of why the city wanted to keep this is to make sure Doc's could keep their dedicated kitchen where it was,' said Stotts.
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