GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Seniors in Clay County will continue to get outstanding care when the Clayton and Mildred Revel Senior Center opens a newly-renovated kitchen on April 1.

The kitchen not only got new equipment but was expanded to allow it to store food and prepare fresh, hot meals daily. Before adding this kitchen, the food was prepared in Jacksonville and transported to Clay County.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house were celebrated recently, hosted by the Aging True Community Senior Services staff and county leaders. It allowed the community to celebrate and see the new kitchen, providing more opportunities for Clay County residents.

The upgrades to the kitchen include new commercial appliances and a remodeled interior design that is more suitable for large-scale food preparation. Before the kitchen was in place, prepared food came from Jacksonville and had to be reheated.

The new kitchen can also be a critical food preparation facility for emergencies or natural disasters, making it a key component in recovery.

This project began in 2020 when the commercial appliances were purchased with CARE Act money. Remodeling started last March, and the final electrical work was completed in January. Major upgrades include the installation of a commercial range and convection oven with an industrial exhaust hood, two commercial cooking kettles, commercial sinks and dishwasher, a walk-in freezer, upgraded food preparation surfaces and a new serving window. Crews installed a commercial fire suppression system and upgraded all plumbing and electrical work.

Tourea Robinson, Director of Clay County Senior Services, is proud of the new kitchen at the Green Cove Springs location and is looking forward to the day when food is served there in five weeks. She’s also proud the Green Cove Senior Center was designated the lead agency for senior services in Clay County in 2019.

Also, it’s the only location of the Adult Day Care program. It provides a secure environment and a caring staff for socialization, health monitoring, nutritional guidance, and activities under experienced supervision. The Adult Day Care offers caregivers a bit of respite with total peace of mind. Transportation is available.

There are no fees to attend the four senior centers in Clay County – in Orange Park, Green Cove Springs, Middleburg and Keystone Heights.

Open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the senior centers are funded by the Department of Elder Affairs of the Older Americans Act.

Participants need to be at least 60 and/or have a disability, although there will be an assessment to verify the senior’s eligibility. Lunch is served every day and there is a variety of programming, such as bingo, cards, movies, educational programming and pool, as well as physical activities such as Zumba, chair exercises and line dancing.

Keeping Clay County’s seniors active, busy and healthy is the primary goal of the Aging True Community Senior Services. The center is located at 604 Walnut St.