Boynton Beach recently received a $71,497 grant from the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.
Vicki Robertson, spokeswoman for the Boynton Recreation and Parks Department, said the grant enabled the city to make multiple improvements to the Boynton Beach Senior Center, 1021 S. Federal Highway.
The city replaced the front entrance awnings to shade seniors as they wait for transportation, installed new awning and relocate handicapped parking closer to rear entrance, replaced the air-conditioning unit and provided hurricane shutters.
In addition, additional video surveillance cameras for security were installed and restroom fixtures with automated sensors were put in.
Robertson said the city completed the renovations by providing a new roof for the building.
Nearly 65,000 seniors visit the Senior Center on an annual basis, many visiting daily for a hot lunch, exercise, socialization, medical screenings or to use the computer lab.
Regen Anthony is a widow who lives in Boynton and only comes to the Senior Center to use the computer lab.
“I don’t really have a lot of money, so I can’t afford to buy a computer,” she said. “Plus my kids don’t want some old bat using theirs.”
Anthony said her husband, James, used to come to the center to exercise before he died just more than one year ago.
“I think the additions are nice,” she said. “They are subtle but you can tell if you come here a lot.”
One improvement that is not subtle is the new public address system.
“The seniors like it now because we play music throughout the entire building,” said Steve Logan, Senior Center supervisor. “There are also automated doors on the handicapped bathrooms that are now more accessible to seniors.”
Logan said some of the most popular programs the center offers includes dancing Thursday afternoons with a live band and a chair exercise program.
“This is the slow time of the year and we still see 150 to 200 people come in every day,” he said.
The Senior Center is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays.
For information on Senior Center activities, call 561-742-6570.
Mike Rothman can be reached at mkrothman@tribune.com.