Construction Officially Starts On Addition To Vernon Senior Center

VERNON, CT — Ground was officially broken Wednesday for a project that will construct a sizable addition to the Vernon Senior Center.

As he led the charge with the ceremonial shovels, Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne called the project "the last piece of the puzzle" at the ever-growing Senior Center. When opened at its present 147 Bolton Road location in 2018, the center had 835 members. As of Wednesday morning, the roster was 4,000-plus.

"We have to stay active," Champagne said, while adding the space will allow the Senior Center to not only spread out, but add programs.

To make room for the 6,000-square-foot, 78-by-85-foot prefabricated building, the town bought the adjacent property to the south, which was owned by TicketNetwork. The Town Council in December approved a project budget not-to-exceed $1.869 million that includes the purchase of the house, demolition, site work and the pre-fab building.

Work had to wait until July 1, to to give members of a family living there time to finish school and relocate. The family was relocated with the help of the town and TicketNetwork.

While work on the parcel was taking place, the Vernon Fire Department has been training at the old house. One last training session is slated for Saturday.

Federal grant funds from the American Rescue Plan Act will pay for the project.

The new building will enable the senior center to host larger groups for its events and add a greater variety of athletic activities, Champagne said.

The Senior Center has also added a pickleball court and pavilion to its original facility.