Press Room: Main Page

Ribbon Cutting for Our New Santa Rosa County Office - July 27

In addition to the new construction, improvements were made to the Bagdad Community Center including added window protection, a covered walkway between buildings, paving of the parking lot and the addition of a walking trail around the park. The new additions and improvements have transformed the existing community center into a multi-service senior center. Previously, services provided to seniors were scattered across the county, but this new location is centrally located making the center accessible to more senior citizens. The project will provide approximately 25,000 residents over the age of 60 with much needed services. The Bagdad Community Center – Senior Center Project was a county project made possible by a senior center fixed capital outlay grant through the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.

The Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners, Locklin Technical Center and Council on Aging of West Florida worked together to make this project a reality. Locklin Tech students built the office building off site at the campus on Berryhill Road. Ninety-four students from various classes had an opportunity to work on the project which took six months to complete. The 1,000-square-foot office building meets commercial standards and features two offices, one bathroom, a break room, recreation area, plenty of storage space, and is ADA compliant. Upon completion, the building was transported to the Bagdad Community Center and was installed complete with a handicap accessible ramp and walkway. Various county departments provided assistance in the completion of this project including engineering, public works, building inspections and permits, building maintenance, planning and zoning and grants.

Council on Aging of West Florida will continue to offer senior activities from the Bagdad Community Center, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enhanced services include a congregate meal center, recreational activities, health screening, nutrition counseling services, emergency response and recovery assistance, prescription medicine assistance, housing programs, and case management. The operational hours of the Council on Aging of West Florida office will be Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Bagdad Community Center – Senior Center Project grant was approved September 11, 2008, in the amount of $172,000.

7/15/2010