9/19/2009
Kevin Smith, Public Building Commission, (312) 744-9277
Christine Riley Department of Family and Support Services 312-743-1934
Mayor Richard M. Daley today cut the ribbon to a newly constructed state-of-art senior center located at 5801 N. Natoma Avenue on Saturday, September 19, 2009 in the Norwood Park community.
The center is the sixth new senior center to be built by the Department of Family and Support Services and the Public Building Commission through the Mayor’s senior initiative, “Neighborhoods Alive with Seniors.”
“The Neighborhoods Alive with Seniors initiative addresses their many needs and improves the quality of life of Chicago’s seniors — our city’s most valuable asset,” said Mayor Richard M. Daley. “The seniors of the Norwood Park community now have a facility right in their neighborhood to socialize with friends, learn computer skills, exercise and have lunch.”
The senior center will be managed by Norwood Senior Network under an operating agreement with the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services.
“The new Norwood Park Satellite Senior Center is a product of several agencies’ shared commitment to the well-being of Chicago’s seniors,” said Erin Lavin Cabonargi, Executive Director of the Public Building Commission. “We are confident that this new senior center will go a long way toward enhancing that well-being, and we look forward to seeing this facility serve with distinction for decades to come.”
Programming at the center will include computer training classes (introduction, intermediate, and advanced), dance, yoga and tai chi. There will also be opportunities for seniors to receive massage therapy and health consultations.
“The well-being of seniors is very important and we are very excited about being able to provide programming and activities that focus on the mind, body and spirit,” said Mary Ellen Caron, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS). “Not only will they have a place to gather with friends but seniors will also have the opportunity to learn about nutrition and health as well as workout in the fitness center. It’s a great center and we’re thrilled that we were able to bring this state-of-the-art facility to the Norwood Park community.”
Among the new center’s features are:
- A computer laboratory with nine work stations
- A meeting room
- A health screening area
- A fitness center with a combination of specially selected weight training equipment and cardio gear
- A reading room
- A lounge and dining area
The new center was built under a $2.3 million contract, which included a commitment of 26.5 percent of the work going to Minority-owned Business Enterprises and a commitment of 5.25 percent going to Women-owned Business Enterprises.
This senior center was designed to achieve “Silver” level certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, standard. It includes such environmentally friendly features as a green roof, water fixtures that reduce water waste, reflective materials to reduce the urban heat island effect, the use of recycled materials in the construction of the building and a high efficiency heating and cooling system.
These centers, as well as all satellite senior centers, are open to seniors age 60 and above, and to “baby boomers”, ages 55 to 59. Services, activities, and programs will be offered at no cost or a fraction of the cost charged at private clubs or senior centers.
