Senior citizens flocked to Oxford Township’s new senior center in Seymour Lake Park on Aug. 20 for an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“It’s your facility, so I hope you like it,” said Parks and Rec. Director Ron Davis as he addressed the crowd.

According to Dawn Medici, recreation specialist and senior coordinator, 150 of the 175 guest bags, donated by HealthQuest Physical Therapy and St. Joseph Mercy Oakland hospital, were handed out at the door.

But, she believes attendance was “much higher” because many couples took only one bag.

“I was very pleased with the turnout,” Medici said.

She noted 107 seniors that evening signed up to receive information about the various programs, classes, activities and clubs for folks age 55 and older.

Davis told the crowd that the center “doesn’t look (like) much on the outside, but I’m not (about) the outside. I want stuff on the inside.”

The 3,126-square-foot center contains a pool table, computers, comfortable chairs, card tables, a kitchen and cupboards filled with books, magazines, puzzles, board games and card games.

“It’s like the human body – it’s what’s on the inside that counts,” Davis said. “We’re not here to win architecture awards . . . Our goal was to put everything (on the) inside that we could.”

Outside the center, horseshoe pits, bocce ball courts and shuffleboard courts are still under construction.

Davis urged seniors to provide input regarding the center. He said the department’s staff wants to hear their concerns, ideas, suggestions, recommendations and questions.

“If there’s something you want, let us know. If there’s something not right, let us know,” he said.

Davis promised whenever there’s a problem, he’ll do whatever he can to fix it.

“But, if you don’t tell me, I can’t fix it,” he said. “Whatever you do, don’t go on Facebook. Give us an opportunity to fix what we can.”

Before cutting the ribbon, Davis took an opportunity to once again thank everyone who supported the parks and rec. millage proposal in the Aug. 6 special election. The 10-year, 1-mill operating tax passed 2,265 to 1,365.

“It was a do-or-die for this department,” he said. “A lot of people didn’t think it was, but it was.”

The millage will allow the department to offer things for seniors at “no cost or very low cost,” according to Davis.