History

The Center

1980-2015

   In 2015 we reopened our doors as The Center; a family friendly building offering youth, adult, senior, and family events & programs.  Prior to the 2015 reopening The Center had a long and successful history to get us to where we are now!

   The idea of a group of seniors forming a Senior Center Club was in the minds of several people in the Brockport area about 1972.  They met in their homes for some time, but when their needs increased enough to be too many for the average home, they decided to look for a central place that would be large enough.

   Eventually the old fire hall on Market Street was obtained.  Soon the group outgrew it and moved to the Town Hall.  In 1974, the members along with a very progressive Town Board, formed a commission to develop plans to erect a building just for seniors at 133 State Street. The existing building on the property had originally housed a lumber company and later on was used as a storage area for a bottling company.
 
   In 1978, the existing building was razed except for the tall smokestack, which was scaled down and incorporated into the new building.  The Sweden Senior Center was completed in 1980.  Many members of the community were involved in the undertaking of this project including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Town of Sweden employees, Monroe County, area service clubs and many interested citizens. 
Through extraordinary fundraising efforts, the members of the Sweden Senior Center have, through the years, made it possible for additional expansion projects at the center.  In 1996  the kitchen of the Senior Center was enlarged, to accomodate the growing number of members. Another expansion was completed in the summer of 2000, adding a game room, craft room, and enlarging the dining room.
Through the years, the Sweden Town Board members have secured grants to support these expansions and the needs of the growing senior population. Their involvement and encouragement enabled our facility to flourish.
Due to the generosity and vision of the Sweden Senior Association, Inc., the area behind the building, next to the historic Erie canal, has been beautifully re-landscaped, making it more accessible and so that outdoor concerts and programming can be held in an enjoyable setting.
 
   In 2005, Senator George Maziarz acquired a grant for the Center for the parking lot expansion which was needed to accommodate the growth in attendance of the Center’s activities and programs.
Assemblyman William Reilich applied for and received a grant for the Center to purchase a new piano to enhance some of our recreational endeavors.
 
   The most recent accomplishment has been our becoming the first senior center in Monroe County to achieve national accreditation. We are deeply indebted to center members, staff, and volunteers from the surrounding communities who devoted countless hours and hard work to achieve this national recognition in 2007.       

   If one were to ask the seniors whom they should thank for their present “home away from home”, it would be impossible to give credit to just one person, club or organization.  There are so many who have contributed in their own special way.  Each part of the building and landscaping, and all the meals and programs that are offered are the result of the combined efforts of more names than we could mention.

This is their legacy and labor of love for generations to come.

THANKS TO EACH OF YOU!
WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT!