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Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
From left, Marcy Twerdahl, Rosemary Ferdinand, and Pauline Swanson, joined the rush of people wanting to explore the inside of the new senior center.
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Get Centered
Hundreds enjoy grand opening of Cupertino's new senior center
By Kevin Fayle
The large crowd gave the countdown, Mayor Sandra James cut the ribbon, and the new senior center opened its doors to the public on March 3.
The senior center, located at the corner of Stevens Creek Boulevard. and Mary Avenue, welcomed an initial crowd of nearly 250 people, but according to the center's staff, at least 500 people dropped by during the afternoon's open house.
After a short round of speeches and the unveiling of the building's dedication plaque, the new facility opened to the eager crowd in its plaza. Seniors and young families alike lined up and filed in to catch a glimpse of the new building.
The city's parks and recreation department had staff on hand to assist everyone and help out the senior center staff, and members of the city council greeted people at the door and mingled with the crowd. Two translators also stood at the door and offered to help Mandarin speakers navigate the complex.
So many people attended the initial opening that it proved difficult to move around. However, everyone seemed to use the extra time to take in the finer details of the building. Attendees praised the building, from the design of its façade down to the choice of carpeting. The furnishings also earned considerable attention, especially since the Cupertino Rotary Club donated much of the money to purchase them.
Senior Center Recreation Supervisor Diane Snow was praised repeatedly at the dedication ceremony as the 'heart and soul of the senior project.' She played a key role in bringing the new center to fruition.
Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Diane Snow, recreation supervisor for the senior center, calls the donation from Rotary "a wonderful move on their part." Snow says the center relied on private donations for most of its furniture, because most of its budget went into the building. Because the city envisions this center lasting for years to come, "the original concern was that as much care go into things around the building as possible," Snow says.
Visitors to the center also enjoyed a musical concert by a senior choral group in the reception hall, with accompaniment on the center's brand new six-foot grand piano. While listening, attendees could also stand in line and sample food donated by local restaurants, or check out the view of Memorial Park from the building's deck.
Many stopped for a long time at the computer room, with nine iMacs donated by Apple Computers as well as new PCs. Apple donated the computers after numerous letters sent by the center's Mac user group were presented to the company by Mayor James.
Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Laura Green, an older-adult studies instructor from De Anza College, leads the Choraliers in singing the national anthem at the opening of the new senior center. This singing group is part of an older-adult studies program taught at the college.
The new building also features an exercise room, an amenity absent in the old building. "Having a dedicated room makes a huge difference," Snow says. The center will offer exercise classes almost hourly.
Snow says the senior center commits itself to helping people "continue to learn, whether it be through exercising, traveling, learning about the computer, art, or music." The center offers travel packages, and the opportunity to participate in such activities as video production and musical groups. It also assists seniors who are confined to their homes by sending social workers, and arranging for friendly visits.
"When we become aware of a need, we try to meet it," Snow says.
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Cupertino, California Since 1947
