The ribbon cutting and grand opening for the new South Haven Senior Center will be this Friday. Senior Services of Van Buren County Director Diane Rigozzi tells WSJM News the new center at 8337 M-140 has been in the works for about two years as the agency purchased the former Village Market from the Merk family and then began about $3 million in renovations. The new center features pickleball courts, classrooms, a tech center, a lending closet, an office suite, seating for up to 300, and a walking trail. How’s it feel to complete the project?
“It’s really exciting because for the last couple of years, you dream about it, you put a lot of sweat into it, but you don’t know how it’s going to be perceived by the public,” Rigozzi said. “Then when we opened the doors and the reaction that we’ve gotten, it’s just been overwhelming and we feel really blessed to be able to give back to the community.”
Friday’s grand opening and ribbon cutting will feature speakers, including South Haven Mayor Scott Smith, starting at 10 a.m. They’ll have door prizes, food, and activities. Then they’ll do the ribbon cutting and let everyone inside. Rigozzi says they held a soft opening in March and the reception has been overwhelmingly positive. Everyone is welcome to attend Friday’s grand opening from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The new center replaces the space Senior Services of Van Buren County previously used at First Baptist Church.
