Freeholders, Ocean City Break Ground for New Senior Center

COUNTY AND OCEAN CITY BREAK GROUND FOR NEW SENIOR CENTER
OCEAN CITY — Cape May County freeholders joined officials from Ocean City on Sept. 10, for the groundbreaking for a new senior center.
The new senior center will be located in the Ocean City Community Center, 1735 Simpson Ave. The new senior center will be approximately 8,800 square feet which is double the size of the current center at 33rd and Bay Avenue.
“The capacity to handle a larger number of clients is very important to the county, since Cape May County has the highest percentage of senior citizens in the State of New Jersey, this is a wonderful step for the county to better serve seniors in Ocean City,” Freeholder Gerald Thornton stated in a release.
“The county has been looking at building a new Ocean City center for several years. With the growing senior population in the county, we recognize the need for a larger center in Ocean City. Since the center cannot be expanded at the current site, a new acility is the only way we can accommodate the growing demands and expectations of our seniors,” Freeholder Director Daniel Beyel stated.
By partnering with Ocean City and the Library Commission the enhanced Community Center is a “win-win” for the community. Beyel expressed his pleasure in the county’s role in the project with the funding of $3.5 million for the new senior center.
“This project will be an exceptional attraction to the residents and visitors of Ocean City and the county. The coordinated effort of Ocean City, the Ocean City Library and the county also represents the best example of a shared service partnership that offers taxpayers the most economical approach in obtaining such a substantial benefit,” Beyel added.
The new design for the community center expansion which includes the new senior center features an enclosed walkway, which will enable people to travel from once facility to another, without having to go outside when the weather is inclement. Those with disabilities will welcome this design element and add to their enjoyment of all the activities the new center will have to offer.
The construction project is expected to take 18 months and has been designed to cause as little disruption in services as possible.