Three Cobb County senior centers will be reopening Oct. 5 after being closed since March due to COVID-19 restrictions.
But the Tim D. Lee Senior Center in East Cobb will remain closed for an unspecified time because of ongoing renovations.
County spokesman Ross Cavitt said the renovations are extensive, and are related to roofing issues caused by water leaks, and that “COVID has made the progress slower than we had hoped.”
He said Cobb Senior Services has retained an engineering firm to work on a redesign to direct water away from the north side of the building, which has had water retention issues after rain. Cavitt said a reopening date hasn’t been determined.
The senior centers are the last county facilities to reopen from COVID-19 closures. Those reopening on a limited basis Oct. 5 are the Freeman Poole Senior Center in Smyrna, the Cobb Senior Wellness Center in Marietta and the West Cobb Senior Center. The North Cobb Senior Center will reopen on Nov. 5.
Those centers will be subject to additional safety protocols and and other measures which can be found here:
“Everyone must be registered in advance before coming to a center, temperature screenings will be conducted at the door, and rooms will be setup to allow social distancing. While there will be some in-person activities, we will continue to offer virtual programs on our Facebook pages and via online links. We have given much thought and care in preparing for seniors to return and are eagerly looking forward to seeing them.”
Kathy Lathem, strategic partnership manager for Cobb Senior Services, said the department continued to provide transportation for seniors for medical appointments, shopping and banking, and also continued Meals on Wheels. Here’s more about what’s been happening over the last seven months:
“We began partnering with local organizations and the community for donations of shelf stable items and toiletries; WOW, did they ever respond!! From April thru mid-July, we were able to hold weekly food giveaways for Cobb residents age 60+, resulting in:
- 2,677 people served
- 1,260 produce/dairy boxes given
- 2,335 restaurant meals provided
“After a break to secure more donations, the food giveaway resumed on September 3rd. The next one takes place this Thursday, September 24 at our office, 1150 Powder Springs St, Marietta, 30064 from 11am until Noon, or while supplies last. An ID showing birth date and Cobb County home address is required upon arrival for each senior being served. Visit www.CobbSeniors.org for upcoming dates and locations.”
There’s a continuing food drive with needed items listed below.
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