As we begin our renovations to improve and expand the Center, we thought it would be interesting to show how the Center has outgrown different facilities over the years.
1953—“The Golden Age Club” was formed and housed under the current Hubert’s store (then Western Auto).
1970—Now named the Newport Senior Citizens, it became part of Southwestern Community Services.
1972—Implementation of the “Older Americans Act” by the federal government, this group became part of Sullivan County Nutrition Program. The initial program served 25 meals per day with an operating budget of $20,000.
1979—Senior Group moved to the basement of Newport Primary School, which we know today as our town office building. Newport Senior Center group incorporated Sept. 11, 1979.
1980—Sullivan County Nutrition established two additional meal sites in Claremont and Charlestown.
1987—Fundraising efforts began to purchase property at 76 South Main St. Kaarle Lehtinen kicked off the fundraising drive with a $100,000 donation and held the remaining mortgage at a low rate.
1988—The Newport Senior Center purchased the property on July 6, 1988 from Ernest Hodgdon Jr. Seniors remodeled and move in for their first Thanksgiving dinner.
1993—The mortgage for the Center was burned in the parking lot.
2006—A garage was added onto the Center.
2010—The Newport Senior Center purchased property at 84 South Main St. on Sept. 10 to accommodate the need for additional parking. A generator was also installed to the facility and the Center was now a shelter for the Town of Newport.
2016—On May 11, 2016, a feasibility study, by the Northern Architectural Design Group, was completed to help determine the need for expansion. The study showed that the shift in the senior population would begin in 2020 and double by 2040. Many are calling this shift the “Silver Tsunami.”
In order to meet this vast projection, the following improvements need to be addressed:
• Additional space; space is available in the basement.
• Additional space needs air exchange unit installation.
• New lights are needed throughout the basement and lights upstairs need to be upgraded to LED cost savings lighting, as well as exterior lights.
• Wiring needs to be cleaned up and code violations fixed.
• Battery units not working, inadequate number of emergency light heads, no emergency lighting on exterior of building, which is code required.
• No emergency lighting in the restrooms and bring emergency lighting and exit signage brought up to code.
• Fire alarm system upgraded to a digital addressable system.
• Sprinkler system installed. No current system. Add insulation to areas where no insulation is currently installed.
2018—currently ewe are serving more than 130,000 in Sullivan County.
At the time of this writing, we are currently $50,000 away from our goal of $150,000. We will continue with fundraiser to help meet our goal.
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