The City of Hanceville finished a two-year journey completing its city’s senior center, which it started in May 2020, just after the Coronavirus Pandemic began to develop. The process was a hard one to complete, but with the help of many people, it was able to get done in just under 23 months.
The Senior Center is known to one famous group in Hanceville, and that would be the “Rowdy Bunch.” The Rowdy Bunch has been in existence for several years and is known for having loads of fun and lovin’ their Mayor, Kenneth Nail. But not everyone from the Rowdy Bunch was able to make it to the grand opening of the new senior center, as they lost their life due to COVID-19, and everyone in attendance observed those precious lives that were not able to attend.
The project was funded by many people, as the cost of materials went up due to inflation, but the City of Hanceville made it work. The City of Hanceville acquired a Community Block Development Grant ($250,000), which paid for nearly half of the building, and the City of Hanceville funded the rest. In addition, Cullman Jefferson Gas assisted with water heaters and the fireplace, while Lousiana Pacific did all of the OSB for the building. The Alabama Department of Senior Services donated $15,000 for tables and appliances.
Will Ainsworth, the Alabama Lieutenant Governor, was present for the grand opening saying, “Alabama is on Fire! Cullman County is on Fire! Hanceville seeing a lot of growth is exciting. I am proud of what is going on here. You look at Wallace State, for example. I tell people all over this state that what goes on at Wallace State for the training should be a model for every county here.”
Jean Brown, the Director of Senior Services for Alabama, was happy to see how the senior center turned out, saying, “What an incredible accomplishment for Hanceville. This is one of the most beautiful senior centers I have ever visited… We [the seniors] were not created to be alone,” the director said, “God created us for fellowship with one another.”
The Hanceville Senior Center is open from 8 AM until 1 PM every day and is a place where senior citizens can socialize, have fun, and share a meal. Weekly activities include cards, Wii bowling, gospel singing around the piano, bingo, and a penny auction. The senior center is located at 209 Michelle Street.
