Ellington Senior Center Holding a Grand Opening on April 5

While 2014 brought the opening of the newly-constructed Ellington Senior Center, the building's official grand opening will be happening later this spring.

The senior center, located at 40 Maple St. across from Ellington High School, is still have some work being done that will continue for at least a few more weeks, said First Selectman Maurice Blanchette.

The town has been at work throughout 2013 building the new $2.9 million structure after it was approved in a referendum in 2012.

Still, the building is open following a soft launch last week, and the three-person staff has officially relocated to the new space, Blanchette said.

"They literally closed down the old senior center and moved into the new center last week," Blanchette said. The old center, considerably smaller than the new edifice, was a little ways down at 16 Church St.

Some senior citizens who spoke with the Journal-Inquirer during the opening praised the new building, with one person calling it their "new home." The JI reported on the building's layout, which includes a multi-purpose room and a full-service kitchen.

Some of the senior center's programming is being held off, however, until the construction is done, the first selectman said.

"They’re looking to get their regular programs back up as soon as possible," Blanchette said. "That’s being affected by when the rest of the work will be finished."

The soft opening saw over 120 people attend to take a tour of the new space, many of whom were users of the old senior center, the first selectman said. And on Monday, Rep. Joseph Courtney and Department of Aging Commissioner Edith Prague paid a visit.

Here are some past pictures of the construction process.