Oxford Township’s new senior center in Seymour Lake Park is getting ready to open in a few weeks and some things are still needed to help turn the 3,126-square-foot space into an inviting place to socialize and recreate.

The parks and recreation department is asking the public to donate a number of new or gently used items to stock the center. The list includes puzzles, books, magazines, board games, decks of cards, card games and outdoor yard games. Also needed are pitchers, kitchen utensils, silverware and table cloths.

Donations will be accepted through May 10. They can be dropped off at the department’s administrative office in Seymour Lake Park just east of the entrance. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

According to Recreation Specialist Dawn Medici, the senior center is expected to have a “soft opening” in late May.

“As soon as the parking lot is paved and ready to go, we’re going to (hold) a grand opening,” she said. “We just don’t have a date yet for that.”

In addition to donations, the department is seeking people who are interested in turning their hobbies, passions, talents and special knowledge into programming at the center.

“I want people to come forward,” Medici said. “If you have something that you love to do (and) you would love to share (it) with others, please let us know. We’ll be happy to try to make it happen.”

According to Medici, there will be a healthy mix of structured and free time at the center. When nothing is scheduled, “people are welcome to come and go, and do what they like to do – play a game of pool, use the horseshoe pits, whatever,” she said.

The types of activities, classes, programs and amenities offered at the center will, in part, be driven by responses the department received to the 3,150 surveys it mailed in January to Oxford’s registered voters age 65 and older.

Unfortunately, the response level was low. Only 132, or 4.19 percent, of the surveys were returned.

“It’s not what I wanted,” Medici said. “Obviously, I was hoping to get at least 50 percent (back). But I’m surprised we did get back the amount that we did.”

Despite the low level of participation, Medici believes she received some valuable input and insight.

“For me, the big ‘aha’ here was the communication (aspect),” she said.

It appears parks and rec. needs to find new and better ways to tell seniors what’s available for them. There were a number of respondents who requested programs, classes and day trips currently offered by the department, according to Medici.

“People were saying that they wanted Tai Chi and yoga. Well, we already have Tai Chi and we already are doing yoga,” she said. “Why don’t they know that, I guess, is the big question.”

Ultimately, Medici said the survey respondents indicated they are looking for a place where they can “socialize” and “be involved in something.”

The survey sought to gauge seniors’ level of interest in a variety of educational topics, enrichment and cultural offerings, special or themed events, health screenings, games, and health and exercise programs.

Health and wellness was the number one educational topic that respondents want to explore. That was followed by computer and cell phone education, home maintenance and interior design, and finance.

“We are looking to purchase two computers (for the center),” Medici noted. Seniors would be free to use them. They would also be there for instructional purposes.

As far as enrichment offerings, arts and crafts topped the list. That was followed by cooking and card clubs.

When asked what games appeal to them, most of the respondents selected card games (bridge, euchre and pinochle) and bingo.

“We will look to offer bingo and a variety of card games going into fall and winter,” Medici said.

Medici noted the department is still working on obtaining a pool table for the senior center.

As far as outdoor games, the respondents favored horseshoes and shuffleboard.

“We are preparing our green space outside the building for shuffleboard, bocce ball and horseshoes. That should be available, I would say, (in) early summer,” Medici said.

Respondents indicated a willingness to pay for classes at the senior center, but they differed on how much the cost should be.

For one-day classes, 59 respondents said they would pay $1 to $15, while 58 indicated they found $15 to $30 to be an acceptable price range.

For multi-week classes, 42 respondents were willing to pay $15 to $30, while 35 said they would pay $50 or more. In between those two groups, 33 indicated a willingness to pay $35 to $50.