Renovated Chisholm Center a 'New Adventure' for Springfield Seniors

Senior citizens had a chance to see their new home-away-from-home Thursday as Springfield Township celebrated the grand opening of its 'Senior Wing' at the Chisholm Community Center.

More than 100 seniors braved the cold to admire the recently-renovated space, which includes a welcoming lobby, complete with a natural gas fireplace and flat screen television, an ample meeting room boasting a kitchen outfitted with new appliances, a relaxation room, and an exercise room.

The seniors echoed one another, noting that their new gathering place looked "wonderful, bright and cheerful," and was a great improvement over their former location at the Sarah Bailey Civic Center. 

"It's very nice," said senior Sal Testa, who thanked his aide Sandy McDaniel for escorting him to the grand opening. "They should've done this years ago."

"I see a lot of smiling faces," said Business Improvement District chairman Mike Scalera, who helped serve the seniors lunch featuring Italian favorites, provided by Sofia's. "This is a new beginning." 

Township Committeeman David Barnett said when the idea of transitioning the senior center from Sarah Bailey to the Chisholm Center was first discussed not everyone was in favor of it.

"Change is often hard," he said. "But everyone I've talked to loves it. It's clean, it's fresh and it frees up Sarah Bailey as we look at redeveloping the downtown. It's great to have that property to enhance our community."

Township Administrator Anthony Cancro thanked everyone involved whose collaborative efforts went into making the new facility possible. Three years in the making, the project came in on budget and on time, he said.

Senior Coordinator Pat Imbriale welcomed the group and acknowledged Theresa Machauer, who celebrated her 103rd birthday in November. The centenarian missed the group's traditional monthly celebration as she was in the hospital.

"This is wonderful," said Machauer of the new space and the recognition by fellow seniors. "I feel great and even more so when I'm out of the house. It's a beautiful turnout today. Pat has been doing a lovely job for us." 

The Jonathan Dayton High School chorus entertained the seniors with classic holiday tunes before lunch was served. 

"I believe everyone enjoyed the day and it was a great start to a new adventure for our senior members," said Recreation Department Director Michael Tennaro.

For more on the grand opening celebration, view the attached video and photos.