Orange County opens Multicultural Senior Center with $6 million in public funding

Orange County officials on Thursday formally opened the Multicultural Senior Center, a 17,500-square-foot facility officials said was financed with $5,000,000 from the county and $1,000,000 in federal community project funding secured by U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost.

The opening featured remarks from Mayor Jerry L. Demings, Rep. Maxwell Frost and County Commissioner Michael "Mike" Scott, an invocation by Bishop Derek L. McRae and a ribbon-cutting attended by senior leaders and staff. Jeff Williamson, communications director for Orange County, emceed the event.

Demings said the new phase of the center builds on a 2023 first phase that included a ballroom, classrooms and a local art exhibition, and he framed the project as part of the county's effort to serve a growing senior population. "This new 17,500 square foot center represents an investment of $5,000,000 from Orange County and $1,000,000 in federal funding," Demings said.

Demings noted the county launched an age-friendly initiative in 2021 and told the audience the county is home to about 208,000 residents aged 65 or older, roughly 14% of the county's population. He said the center 'which will house the Office on Aging'offers multipurpose rooms, a cafe, a computer lab and recreation and meeting spaces intended to help older residents remain active and connected.

Rep. Maxwell Frost praised the partnership between levels of government, saying moments like the ribbon-cutting "remind us that government can actually work for us, and government can actually accomplish things." Frost said his office secured the $1,000,000 in community project funding in 2024 to support the center.

Jonathan Cone, manager of Orange County's Community Action Division, said Community Action will run daily operations and programming. "This center is built on hope," Cone said, describing programs ranging from fitness classes to lifelong learning and social events designed to reduce isolation among older residents.

Commissioner Michael Scott thanked staff and leaders who shepherded the project and urged the community to use the center as a gathering place. The program concluded with a countdown and the ceremonial ribbon cutting; attendees were invited inside to explore the new facility.

The county did not announce a phased schedule for programming at the ceremony beyond saying a third phase with an innovation center will open later in the week, nor did officials provide a detailed operating budget at the event. County staff and the Office on Aging were listed as lead contacts for services at the new center.