BY MATT SCHOOLEY
Despite being debated, burned down and now debated again, Hopkinton’s new Slusser Senior Center facility is ready to open its doors.
A grand opening event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 3, including music, tours and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The day’s events will go from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the building, which is located next to the library.
The partially finished building was destroyed in January by arson, with graffiti on a nearby work trailer reading “Not On My Tax $.” Those involved with the center have worked hard to rebuild and continue with the process.
“Whoever did that was deranged. It’s not a rational reaction,” said Selectman Don Lane. “It was disappointing to know that someone like that is in our community. It shouldn’t reflect the community. There were items that were brought up by people who were opposed to the center, and the town overwhelmingly supported it and supported the department.”
The building, which was built thanks to a $1 million donation by Eugene and Anne Slusser in April of 2006, will give seniors a place to socialize on a daily basis.
“The whole building is the best part. The services are great. It’s a drop-in building. You don’t have to come in for an event or program,” said recreation cirector Justin La Vigne. “You can come in for a cup of coffee and sit in front of the fireplace and play a game of cards. I think the best part about the building is that it’s going to be there and it’s a great place for seniors.”
Only the upper floor of the two-story building will be in use, as the lower floor will not be used until the remaining money can be raised to complete construction.
Some in town were upset about building the center, as they feared it would have a financial impact on taxpayers. Lane, however, said the cost will be minimal and some of the $33,000 operating cost will be covered by revenues, a trust fund that has been set up and donations.
Jane Fairchild, a member of the Slusser Center Planning Committee, is looking forward to Saturday’s opening.
“It’s exciting, because for many years a number of people in town have worked towards this goal of having the senior center community for education, health needs and recreational needs. This is a culmination of years of work,” she said.
“It’s wonderful,” she added. “We feel the attitude in town has dramatically changed and become more supportive. That’s a matter of people’s education and understanding what it’s about, and understanding it will cost little tax dollars. People have come around to realize that it is needed in our town.”
Fairchild said statistics support the need for the senior center, as according to the Office of State Planning, 40 percent of people in Hopkinton will be older than 50 by 2010.
“There’s an enormous number of people in town with access,” said Fairchild. “It’s not a fringe group of 10 old ladies. This is important for the entire population of town.”
La Vigne, who will have about a 30-person volunteer staff working with him, is looking forward to the task ahead.
“One reason I took the job is because of the senior center. I’m very excited for it. Most build to gear towards younger people, but this is a great opportunity for older people to socialize and take part in activities that can help with their daily life,” he said. “I’m very excited. It’ll be a great challenge for me, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Lane said the town will be devoting time to a different age group with the facility being open.
“The most important part is that towns devote many resources to children through schools and fields, and this is opening something dedicated to a different segment of the population in the seniors,” he said.
Regardless of the hardship those involved with the project have gone through, Lane said it will have all been worth it.
“It’s terrific. We’re coming to a very positive conclusion for the whole effort,” he said. “It justifies all of the unpleasantness that we’ve been exposed to for the past 18 months and it justifies it all. It makes the whole effort worthwhile.”