County to add two satellite senior centers

New facilities will be located in Snellville, Grayson.

Older Gwinnett residents will have an easier time getting access to county-sponsored activities, trips and meals in the near future.

Gwinnett County is adding two satellite senior cen- ters due to high demand in its southeast region, according to county documents. The centers will be at J.W. Briscoe Park in Snellville and at the city of Grayson’s existing senior center behind City Hall, said Blake Hawkins, dep- uty director for community services.

The county noticed an increased demand at its senior center in Centerville, with the wait list for that center growing to 150 people, Hawkins said.

“There was a huge outcry from the public, asking for services,” Hawkins said.

The demand in southeast Gwinnett is particularly high because it was the first part of the county to see significant population growth as more people moved into the county, Hawkins said. Those early residents are now aging.

Senior centers provide a variety of services and activities for those age 50 and older. Those visiting a senior center can receive hot meals multiple times a week, take exercise classes and go on organized trips to places like grocery stores and parks. Senior centers regularly hold game nights and birthday parties for their members, Hawkins said.

The satellite centers are expected to be ready by March, Hawkins said. Each will accommodate 40 people. The cost of the project was not immediately available, but the project will receive federal funding through the Atlanta Regional Commission, Hawkins said.

The county plans to keep expanding senior services in southeast Gwinnett, with a second phase of the Centerville Senior Center also in the works, Hawkins said.