Renovated Senior Center Reopens In Carmel

CARMEL, NY — Putnam County has completely renovated its senior center on the east side of the county. The Carmel Friendship Center opened Thursday after 18 months' work.

Dozens of senior citizens joined Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell, county Legislators, state lawmakers and county employees for the grand opening.

“This facility was once a school and now it’s a senior center, the circle of life,” Odell told them. “The challenges of the structure took us a little longer than anticipated. As a school, the building had narrow hallways and small classrooms. We knew that you guys wanted some space, you wanted to walk in comfort and be able to enjoy each other’s company while doing yoga, tai chi or shooting some pool, whatever you really want to do. Now you have the space to do it. “

The bright and airy 6,000 square foot Friendship Center now includes a restaurant-sized dining room where more than 100 seniors can be comfortably served, an exercise room for yoga, tai chi and Zumba dancing, a game room with a billiard table, and a cozy sitting area where seniors can relax around a gas fireplace. A nutrition office, Medicare counselor and case worker will also be on site.

Before the renovation, the building housed a smaller senior center and several administrative offices. During the renovation, the senior citizens center was housed at the Knights of Columbus in Carmel.

“This was very high on my priority list when I took office and I know that my fellow legislators feel the same way,” Odell said. “We recognize and appreciate our seniors. They are our teachers, they’re our mentors, they’re our grandparents and they’re our neighbors. You guys are important to this county for everything that you’ve done and everything you continue to do with your volunteering. It was very important that we build you a space that you could appreciate and that you wanted to come to.”

Michael Cunningham, Director of the Office for Senior Resources, noted that this was a big year for the office.

“We celebrated our 50th anniversary this year,” he said. “We also opened up, just before the year began, our Friendship Center in Philipstown. And now we are here to celebrate the opening of the Carmel Friendship Center.

“One of the worst things for seniors is isolation or loneliness,” Cunningham said. “What we are trying to do is make sure that by offering these services, with good nutrition and a lot of activities, we prevent that. If you look at the name of this facility, we call it the Carmel Friendship Center and that’s what we’re all about.”

The Carmel Friendship Center is housed in the Donald B. Smith Government Campus on Old Route 6. For more information about the programs and services available through the Office for Senior Resources, visit www.putnamcountyny.com/osr.

On the west side of the county, the Friendship Center of Philipstown was dedicated this time last year. SEE: Putnam Officials Dedicate Philipstown Senior Center

Senior centers in the county:

• William Koehler Memorial Senior Center, 180 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541. 845-808-1734
• Putnam County Friendship Center at Putnam Valley, 117 Town Park Lane, Putnam Valley, NY 10579. 845-808-1730
• Friendship Center in Philipstown, 1756 Route 9D / Lahey Pavilion, Cold Spring, NY 10516. 845-808-1705
• Carmel Friendship Center, 110 Old Route 6, Building #1, Carmel, NY 10512. 845-808-1700