Cairo Senior Center vision becoming a reality

CAIRO―Shovels hit the dirt on Tuesday for the official groundbreaking of what will be the new Cairo Senior Center.

Local seniors and community members gathered alongside town, county and state officials to kick off the long-awaited project that will transform a former dojo into a welcoming place to gather.

“Finally, we are here,” said Greene County Legislator Harry Lennon of Cairo.

“It’s a win-win situation. The Town of Cairo is going to have a brand-new senior center for people to come and enjoy, have meals, activities,” he said. “And it’s a win for the County of Greene because we are going to have our whole cooking operation here eventually.”

The vision to convert the building into a hub for local seniors dates back to 2021 when the Town purchased the property on State Route 32 for $399,000. But plans never took off due to hefty renovation costs, sparking Greene County to step in and, in 2024, establish a capital project to fund the new center.

The county’s initial cash contribution of $1.9 million will be offset by a $500,000 state Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability, and Technology (CREST) grant pledged by Senator Michelle Hinchey (D-Saugerties).

Greene County is also tapping into $500,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) money, already in its coffers within the Quantum Fund.

“Finding the building was one thing,” said Cairo Town Supervisor Debra Bogins. “Finding the money to renovate it was another. Unfortunately, we did not have a magic checkbook.”

The new center is expected to open in 2027 and serve as a state-of-the-art central cooking location for all of the county’s congregant and home-delivered meals―nearly 100,000 of which are prepared annually, noted Amanda Lyons, executive director of Greene County Human Services.

“It will be great to have a place where our staff doesn’t have to worry about things breaking or limited storage,” said Lyons. “We are really looking forward to this.”

James Hannahs, director of Greene County Economic Development, Tourism, & Planning, said multiple county departments have been working alongside Town of Cairo officials for a unique public partnership to optimize senior meal delivery efficiency and create a new space for seniors.

“This has been a long time coming,” said Hannahs.

Cairo’s longtime senior center, located on Old Route 23 in Acra, is currently leased by Greene County as one of several congregate meal sites but has been described by town and county officials as beyond repair.

Under its agreement with Greene County, the Town of Cairo will retain ownership of the new center and must reimburse the county $300,000, either in cash or from proceeds should it sell the Acra property.

“It was a no brainer. How do we get this done? We have to make sure we provide a safe space―a good space―for our seniors,” said Hinchey.

“We have to make sure we are providing the things seniors need and to support our seniors who built this community and who continue to give back” she added.

Assemblyman Chris Tague (R/C-Schoharie) said the project is an example what can happen when governments work together for the common good.

“Every shovel of dirt is about something simple: making sure our parents and grandparents have a place that treats them with dignity,” Tague said.

And while it was government officials who pooled the resources and funding, the new center has been a goal of several determined seniors: former town councilmembers Richie Lorenz and Mary-Jo Cords, and Dorothy True, the mother of Greene County Legislator Sherry True of Cairo.

“This is what it looks like when a community comes together along with their government officials,” said Sherry True. “A lot of folks pulled this off for us and we can now say with confidence that we will have our senior center up and running next year.”

“We are very, very excited about all of this,” she added.

“Today is about so much more than a building,” said Bogins. “It’s about the people who have spent their lives making Cairo what it is today―our seniors who build this community, raised families, supported our schools, ran businesses, volunteered, served our country and passed down values that make Cairo a special place.”

“You have given so much to Cairo and today Cairo gives back to you,” Bogins said.