Its finally happening! The Meeting Place Senior Center is moving to new digs.

On Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the public is invited to a grand opening party at the new location, 75 Carmel Lane, Columbus.

Polk County bought the Carolina Classical School property and has completed the renovations necessary for the senior center. There is now a state-of-the-art kitchen with a dining room. With new paving and a few added details, the facility is now ready for use.

Were pulling out all the stops for our grand opening party, said Pam Doty, director of The Meeting Place.

In conjunction with this gala event the Polk County Council on Aging is hosting a Senior Resource Fair and has invited organizations that provide services to our older citizens to be present to provide information about those services.

Expect to see representatives of Polk County Transportation, EMS, Community Health Connections, St. Lukes Hospital, and Highwood Apartments among others. We will also have entertainment, food, information, and a chance to check out the facility and the programs we offer.

Laura Lynch, chair of the Polk County Council on Aging, said This is so exciting! The Council on Aging has been looking forward to and planning for this day for a long time. We are glad that our Polk County Commissioners have taken this step to provide for our older population and we think this is a great opportunity to showcase the services available to seniors in this area.

The Meeting Place began back in 1972 as a place for seniors to congregate, eat together and participate in a variety of educational and recreational activities. Over the years, the program has been evolved, but the mission, to enhance the quality of life or the seniors of Polk County has remained.

Presently, The Meeting Place serves approximately 60 meals on site (at the three senior centers) daily and delivers another 75 to 85 meals to the home bound with the help of an incredible group of volunteers. In addition to bingo, bridge, sing-alongs, ceramics, pool, painting and jewelry classes, The Meeting Place offers information on such topics as fraud prevention, Medicare (the Senior Health Insurance Information Program is head-quartered at The Meeting Place), living with diabetes, stroke prevention, and pain management. Line dancing, Tai Chi and senior aerobics are weekly offerings. The center is open to all seniors and meals and activities are offered by donation.

Come to the grand opening on November 18 and learn about the senior center and other services and resources available in Polk County.

Directions: From Interstate 26, take exit 67 into Columbus. At the first traffic light, turn left on Houston Road. Follow Houston Road to Skyuka Road (Houston Road bears to the right, Skyuka is straight ahead). Travel approximately mile.

The Polk County Senior Recreation Center, a.k.a. The Meeting Place, is on the left. Turn left on Carmel Lane into the parking lot.