VERO BEACH – After several long months of having services displaced, seniors who frequent the Senior Resource Association’s Vero Beach Senior Center can now return.The organization officially opened the newly renovated Schumann Hall Senior Center, so named for the Schumann Foundation, which supported the completion of the center. “We’re honored to have the name there,” Schumann Foundation founder John Schumann said before the festivities took place Tuesday evening. “We’re glad to give back to the community.”Thea Walker, of the Walker Family, was also recognized with a nameplate for portion of the center – Thea’s Kitchen.Others who made generous donations include the Richardson Foundation, Camp Yount Foundation, Leo and Peggy Pierce Family Foundation, and the Fanny and Svante Knistrom Foundation, according to the Senior Resource Association.The Minotty Foundation donated an interactive resource center, which provides reading assistance through magnification readers. The Radzewicz Family, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Padgett and Jean McGregor Conway also made donations so the Senior Center could be renovated.”The new color scheme, which includes the signature SRA teal color, inspired an overall new palette for the entire campus,” Senior Resource Association officials said in a prepared statement.”It’s a much more cheerful place for the seniors,” Schumman said.Karen Deigl, president and CEO of SRA, told the assembled crowd that the reopening of Schumann Hall is a “concrete example of what teamwork can accomplish,” adding that the newly opened center is a place the “whole community can be proud of.”The original senior center, located at 694 14th Street, was built in 1984. Following the hurricanes of 2004 and 2005, the building suffered rapid deterioration.”The weather that year was not very kind to our Senior Center,” said SRA Chairman of the Board Dawn Michael.Croom Construction performed the work of rehabilitating and renovating the center.”I’m sure it will be enjoyed by generations to come,” said Croom Construction’s David Croom. “With this gray hair of mine, I might be able to enjoy it.”Croom added that it was his honor and privilege to have been a part of the team that rebuilt the Senior Center.All through the construction work, the Senior Resource Association had to find places for their activities and services to be held. Two places that stepped up included St. Francis Manor and Leisure Square Fitness Center.The Senior Resource Association has been providing activities, education and services to seniors throughout Indian River County since 1974. Programs and services include Meals on Wheels, Adult Day Care and Senior Center activities.For more information about the Senior Resource Association, its services, or the newly opened Schumann Hall Senior Center, call Karen Deigl at (772) 569-0111 or visit www.SeniorResourceAssociation.org.
