Knox County’s sixth senior center opened today with County officials gathering for a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony. Mayor Mike Ragsdale was joined by Property Assessor and former County Commissioner Phil Ballard, Commissioner Dave Wright, Commissioner-elect Bud Armstrong and community leaders in the 8th district to cut the ribbon on the Carter Senior Center Friday.
The Center is joined to the Carter Library with a beautiful multi-purpose garden that was designed to facilitate programming. Both are adjacent to Carter Park on Asheville Highway in eastern Knox County. The facility has approximately 6,200 square feet, which includes a 1,000-square-foot exercise room that is fully equipped and operational. The facility also includes its own computer lab, rooms for meetings, cards and dance, and kitchen recreation space. With the library, senior center and park, the Carter Community now has some 30 acres of space in which to gather.
Ground was broken on the facility in September 2007. The project was completed well within the initial budget of $1.4 million. Studio Four Design was the architectural firm with construction by JA Fielden General Contractors. The Public Building Authority managed the project.
At this morning’s ceremony, a long-time Carter community leader was honored. In recognition of the service of Charles W. Clift to the Carter community, Mayor Ragsdale today named the new building the Charles W. Clift Building at the Carter Senior Center. Some of Mr. Clift’s most notable projects include founding the Carter Community Club and serving as its first President; raising $10,000 to buy the Carter Community Club Park land that housed the original East Knox County Library; and raising $40,000 to build the Carter Community Swimming Pool, among others. Mr. Clift has been recognized with the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Kiwanis Club and as Citizen of the Year from the East Knox County Business and Professionals.
The Carter Senior Center is located at 9036 Asheville Highway, Knoxville, Tennessee 37924. Initial hours of operation are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, contact Knox County’s Director of Senior Services, Hemal Tailor, at hemal.tailor@knoxcounty.org or at 215-4044.
