MENTOR, Ohio — The pandemic closed the Mentor Senior Center on March 16th of last year, but it reopened Monday with plenty to do. Recreation Manager Renee Ochaya says senior citizens have been calling throughout the entire pandemic ready to return to socialize and participate in programming.
“Today, we are opening four activity rooms. We have our fitness center available, our library, our game room which has three pool tables and out great room,” says Ochaya.
When 3News visited, we saw a handful of women playing cards and men shooting pool. Everything seemed to be running smoothly for the center that can serve upwards of 800 seniors a day.
Stanley Braid says as soon as he learned about the June 14th opening date, he made plans to be here.
“Well I love everything. The meals of course and the pool room and stuff like that,” says Braid.
There was one activity everyone was talking about.
“Working out. Those folks, their feedback has been ‘14 months was a really long time and I’m really out of shape’, so they’re excited to be back working out again,” says Ochaya.
The people working out were all pleased to be active, while others relaxed and socialized with friends in person, something they hadn’t done in a year.
Braid was already making plans to meet again.
“Tomorrow. See you tomorrow,” says Braid while laughing!
In two weeks, phase two at the Mentor Senior Center will start and even more programming like in-person fitness class and health education classes will be added as more and more seniors are expected to stop in.
More Headlines:
