NORWAY, S.C. — The new Norway Senior Center is now officially open.
A ribbon-cutting was held Tuesday for the new center, located on Norway Road in the town, which is located in Orangeburg County.
Last year, the County of Orangeburg purchased the Norway Baptist Church complex on Norway Road for $225,000. The property had two buildings: one which was turned into the new senior center, and the other, which will eventually become the town community center. The renovations are expected to cost the county around $250,000. The funding was secured from a capital project sales tax.
Orangeburg County Councilman Joseph Garvin says the move from the old senior center to the new one was necessary.
“Well the senior center that they had before was deteriorating and it cost so much money to rebuild the senior center,” said Councilman Garvin. “Baptist Church members said they were no longer utilizing it so we felt like it was a better opportunity and a better place and we got two for one.”
Bessie Peeples lives in Norway and has been going to the senior center for many years. She said this center gives seniors the opportunity to keep busy.
“A lot of the senior citizens are widows,” said Peeples. “They don’t have any children or grandchildren at home and it’s an inspiration to fellowship with them out here for some of us and they enjoy it.”
Lynn Garrick is the mayor of Norway, and said this center gives seniors in the community a sense of independence.
“We have an older population here in Norway,” said Mayor Garrick. “Most of the people are here live within a couple of minutes so they can still have their independence instead of getting on the road and going to Orangeburg, Columbia, or Aiken."
The new center will give people a chance to exercise and perform activities. The center has bingo, a birthday club, arts and crafts, exercise classes, and more.
RELATED: SC Department on Aging's Geriatric Loan Forgiveness Program now accepting grant applications
Alice Kinard is the vice president of the senior center. She says this new facility is exciting for many senior residents.
“We are so happy to have a decent place where we can meet,” said Kinard. “We can socialize, we can fellowship and just talk in general to one another.”
Renovations on the Town of Norway’s community center is expected to be completed by late spring.