By Clyde Noel

Town Crier Correspondent

The 20-year-old Cupertino Senior Center building was razed last year and a new 15,500-square-foot senior center opened its doors to the public March 3.

The new building offers the center’s 1,800 members a large reception hall, fitness room, computer lab, expansive kitchen and different rooms full of lounging amenities.

“The community gained a fabulous resource and we’re busy seeking input to help us design the programs seniors want,” said Diane Snow, recreation supervisor for the senior center. “The building reflects the breadth and depth of our community.”

Annual dues to the Cupertino Senior Center are $10, and not everyone has to be a resident. Residents of Los Altos, Sunnyvale and San Jose regularly join in for the varied activities.

“We have members from other parts of the county who come here when they visit relatives during the winter months,” said Francis VonSchoeler, desk volunteer the last five years. “They usually come to visit their grandchildren, but join the center and take part in our activities while their family works during the day.”

VonSchoeler said the new building is well laid out and has pleasant views. It’s accessible to the Santa Clara County bus line and that accounts for increased attendance during daytime activities.

“The Cupertino (City) Council considered adding to the old senior center or building a new center and they decided on a new building,” Snow said. “The budget was $4.4 million. It was ready on time and on budget. I can’t believe how comfortable and well constructed the building is.”

Snow, senior center supervisor the last 13 years, said the center relied on private donations for most of the furniture because the budget went into the building. A campaign by the Cupertino Rotary Club to sell tiles with donors’ names brought in additional funds.

Cupertino Service agencies contributed money and time to the Senior Center, and the Rotary Club provided a large amount to purchase the furniture. More than $70,000 was raised from the community.

The De Anza Kiwanis Club hosted its annual free pasta dinner last Friday evening.

“For the last 10 years we have hosted this pasta dinner for the seniors,” said Florence Scollan, De Anza Kiwanis member. “This year we fed about 130 seniors and the new building lends itself well to the event.”

“The new senior center has also brought in many new members,” VonSchoeler said. “Right after we opened, more than 400 new members joined.”

The Cupertino Senior Center is a busy place and each month the Senior Action News is sent free to each member. The newsletter covers the varied activities and available travel arrangements.

Snow said the senior center commits itself to help people learn, whether it is through exercising, travel or learning how to operate a computer. The center offers travel packages and opportunities to participate in such activities as video production and numerous musical groups.

“In order to have a good senior center, you have to appeal to the whole senior,” Snow said. “That means you have to offer a combination of exercise, mental challenge, social and emotional activities and offer a multitude of volunteer opportunities. We don’t talk about it, but at times there is a spiritual and strong service component here.”

The Cupertino Senior Center is located at Mary Avenue and Stevens Creek Boulevard in Cupertino. For more information, call (408) 777-3150.