The City of Greenville opened the doors of a new senior center on Monday, Dec. 6, to the Parks and Recreation Department's senior group. The new center is named the Camellia Senior Center, and is located at 111 Bolling Street in downtown Greenville.

Program Coordinator Mary Braden said the city has been renovating the building since mid-summer, and will not only give the seniors more room to enjoy weekly activities but also allow the department to expand its services to seniors.

"Right now the group only meets once a week, but this facility will allow us to expand programming and to be open daily eventually," Braden said. "We want this to be a place where seniors can come and socialize whether they live here in Greenville or are just in town for a doctor's appointment and need a place to relax for a few minutes."

The senior group currently averages about 20 – 25 members, and Braden says she hopes increased programming will help the group grow.

"We want to be able to provide more things to do like card and domino tournaments, bingo, speakers and programs," she said. "Each week we are doing something different and we want to be able to do more."

The senior programs offered by the department range from crafts and bingo to programs on health, nutrition and Y2K concerns. The group has also toured historic locations here in Butler County and has taken day trips to Andalusia, Montgomery and Bellingrath Gardens.

The newly renovated building was originally purchased by the city to house the Greenville Police Department. However, the building's construction did not meet state codes for such a facility and was eventually turned over to Parks and Recreation.