Primed For Success
Volunteers paint Templeton Senior Center walls
Joseph Benavidez
News Staff Writer
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| News Staff photo by JOSEPH BENAVIDEZ Richard Pontbriand, of Holden, paints one of the hallways in the new senior center. |
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| News Staff photo by JOSEPH BENAVIDEZ Templeton Town Accountant Kelli Pontbriand, of Holden, paints the game room of the new senior center. |
Council On Aging Director Dianna Morrison explained that it took the town nearly 10 years of planning and three years of construction to get to this point.
“To be able to get paint on the walls, it’s like seeing light at the end of the tunnel,” Ms. Morrison said.
“Without the volunteers we wouldn’t have made it here — they’ve been in from the get-go.
They (the volunteers) are the backbone of any senior center.”
Operating in the 10,000-square-foot building will be a huge difference from the 700-square-foot room where the senior center is currently located, Ms. Morrison said.
She added that the council is hoping to open the new facility sometime in the early summer but there is still a lot to complete such as installing the heating/air conditioning system, some plumbing and electrical work as well as finishing touches on the flooring.
But the wait will be worth it for the senior citizens of Templeton.
Former Council on Aging Director Bethany Loveless showed up to help and said that the new facility is going to dramatically increase the opportunities available to the senior citizens in town.
She said the council be able to offer more activities and services including a library and media center where senior citizens can research topics, art rooms for local groups, a game room, space for the monthly movies and private rooms to met with staff to discuss potential services.
Ms. Morrison said one of the improvements includes having space to host senior citizens for lunch every Tuesday and Thursday instead of the current system which requires residents to travel to Winchendon for the meals.
“We made sure the floor plan was senior-focused,” Ms. Loveless said. “There are places to just hang out and be social and rooms for more activities.”
Ms. Loveless, who left Templeton last year, said she remembers all the work and effort needed to secure a building and that she was “so happy” that the vision for the building was becoming a reality.
“To see us finally painting,” she said, “It’s fabulous.”
Ms. Morrison said she was glad other town department members including selectmen, cemetery officials and the town accountant were able to help.
“We’re all anxious to see the project finished,” Templeton Town Accountant Kelli Pontbriand, of Holden, said while painting the games rooms.
Ms. Pontbriand’s husband, Richard, also volunteered his time.
Mr. Pontbriand said town officials and residents have put “a lot of energy and support” into securing a new facility and that he was “more than happy” to assist in getting the building ready.
Gail Noel, president of the Friends of Templeton Elders, said the group was planning a fundraiser to help offset the cost of purchasing furniture for the facility.
She said one idea was holding a mac and cheese bake off on the town common for the Fourth of July and a charity auction during the annual Arts and Crafts Fair.
Ms. Morrison said that the volunteers would return to the new center next weekend for a second coat of paint as well as some sweeping and light maintenance work.
She said residents interested in helping should speak with the Council on Aging sometime during the week and fill out the necessary paperwork.
“We’ll take any and all help.” Ms. Morrison said.
“Even if it’s just bringing coffee or water — there are a number of ways to help.”
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