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Seniors back home after $1.6 millon renovation

Photos: Partners in Prime renovations

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The Partners In Prime senior center, off Ross Ave. in Hamilton, held a grand re-opened Tuesday Jan. 19. Receptionist Judy Guidugli helps Bob and Catherine Huesing order breakfast after the ceremony.

Staff photo by Nick Daggy The Partners In Prime senior center, off Ross Ave. in Hamilton, held a grand re-opened Tuesday Jan. 19. Receptionist Judy Guidugli helps Bob and Catherine Huesing order breakfast after the ceremony.

By Rick McCrabb, Staff Writer Updated 8:34 AM Wednesday, January 20, 2010

HAMILTON — Once the ribbon was cut, the party began.

On Tuesday, Jan. 19, Partners in Prime, formerly Senior Citizens Inc., reopened its 106-year-old Murstein Building to rave reviews from members. The building had been closed since Jan. 16, 2009, due to broken pipes and flooding.

Members — who had been transferred to Grace United Methodist Church in Hamilton, and the senior centers in Fairfield and West Chester Twp. — quickly got back into their daily routines.

Before lunch, several men shot pool in the basement, two members operated the elaborate model train set in the John Engle Whistle Stop Train Room, and upstairs, a group tossed cornhole and others performed chair exercises while watching a video.

The building was alive with activities after its $1.6 million renovation. The seniors said they appreciated the makeshift locations last year but they were glad to be home.

“It’s good that people are back in the building and we can get back to doing what we’re meant to do,” said Steve Schnabl, chief executive officer of Partners in Prime.

As he stood near the main entrance, he glanced around at the newly-painted walls, carpeted floors and matching furniture. “The phoenix has risen,” he said.

Cy Swegert, 68, of Fairfield, said he was happy to be back working in the train room, which sustained extensive water damage. He wouldn’t even guess how many man hours were spent repairing the trains during the last year.

“It’s great to be here,” the retired Fairfield postal carrier said. “When you take a year off, especially for an older person, it means a lot.”

Juanita Evans was dressed for dancing as she toured the remodeled building. She’s looking forward to dancing — tap, jazzercise, you name it — in the grand ballroom, which now features hardwood flooring.

She’s 82 going on 28.

“Age is only a number,” she said. “As long as you do a lot, you’re not old.”

On Tuesday, the century-old building didn’t look half its age.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2842 or rmccrabb@coxohio.com.