The Greenwood Senior Center's long awaited remodeling project is set to begin soon with changes coming to the main room and other areas. Work is expected to take about three weeks.

Most visitors to the center know the main room as "The Greenwood Room," because of the distinctive glass panel over the doorway, painted with that name. The walls will be renovated and new curtains installed.

Classes like tai chi, support groups, beauty and health services will move downstairs while the work is done on the Greenwood Room. Other classes will be held at the Phinney Neighborhood Center.

In the center's GSC Cafe, the worn out tile floor will be replaced, new cabinets and storage areas will be added. During the work period, there will be no lunch program. Snacks will be served along with sandwiches.

The building was constructed as a clinic and medical office in the early 1950s. The City of Seattle acquired it in 1977 to open the Greenwood Senior Center.

The bathrooms will be redone to better accommodate ADA (American Disabilities Act) requirements.

"We have some serious accessibility issues to the building, the ramp (in front) and the bathrooms," said Ed Medeiros, director of the Phinney Neighborhood Association. The Greenwood Senior Center is one of the association's programs.

The Seattle City Council has approved $500,000 in funds to improve the city's senior centers and the city's Fleets and Facilities Department will make recommendations to the council on how to use that money. The money will be used for improvements at the Greenwood, Ballard and Central Area senior centers.

While the bathrooms will be remodeled in August, the Phinney Neighborhood Association is hoping for more funding from the city to address the other ADA issues. Adding an elevator is one of the biggest concerns.

Monies raised by the Greenwood Senior Center's last two auctions, a total of $17,000 will help pay for some of cosmetic changes.

"We decided to pull this together at the same time. We're very excited about it," said director Cecily Kaplan.

A designer has been hired to add "retro" design features to the building. "We are a homey center. We are an accessible building in size. We have new innovative things happening and we want the building to match that energy," said Kaplan.

New programs included "Health Matters," funded by a $5,000 grant from the Norcliffe Foundation. Kaplan describes "Health Matters," as a lifelong learning that features educational programs with topics like politics and history with guest speakers.

Kaplan wants to explore such programs she calls "creative retirement. "Jammin' Seniors," is a music program for clients who have musical talent and want to get together to play instruments or sing.

Membership at the Greenwood Senior Center averages 370 to 400 people and Kaplan has noticed an increase in participation since she took over the director's position eight months ago.

Previously, Kaplan had worked as a department head for a senior facility in Milwaukee, the Strom Jewish Center on Mercer Island and the Beth Am Temple.

Kaplan is enjoying her new job in Greenwood. "The senior center has a great history and has amazing volunteers. I feel real good working with the Phinney Neighborhood Association. I feel honored to be here and to build for the future," she said.

Visit http://www.greenwoodseniorcenter.org for more information on programs and services.