Middletown To Get Active Adult Community Center

It will be located in the former library building on Prospect Street.Former Middletown Library; new home of an active adult community center.  (photo from Frederick County, Md Government)Frederick, Md (KM) An active adult community center is coming to Middletown. That announcement was made Tuesday by Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater. “We’ll be repurposing the former Middletown Public Library located on Prospect Street to serve as an active adult community center for Middletown residents,” she said. “By repurposing this building, we can support the needs of this growing population quickly, and with the resources currently available to the county.”Fitzwater noted that one in five Frederick County residents is over the age of 60.Kathy Schey, the Director of the Division of Aging and Independence, says it’s critical to keep seniors engaged, active and connected in order for them to stay healthy. “We’re extremely fortunate to have this opportunity to repurpose the former library into a 50-plus active adult community center. This will promote greater accessibility to activities and services in the Middletown community,” she says.Some of those services and activities include opportunities for arts and crafts, exercise and games, including events such as seniors in the park, according to a news release from the County Executive’s office. It will provide access to services such as assistance with Medicare and prescription drug subsidy applications, caregiver support programs, and veterans resources. There will also be access to the internet.On hand for the announcement was Middletown Burgess John Miller. He said he appreciates the new active adult community center, but is hoping to that one day a senior center will open in Middletown. “So I don’t want to be misunderstood. I’m excited for this active adult community center. I’m hopeful that this space can provide activities and services for our seniors. And I’m thankful that our senior voices have been heard, yet realizing the need has not been fully met,” he saidThe Division of Aging and Independence says the new facility is expected to open by late summer or early fall.By Kevin McManus