Gloversville Senior Center to Celebrate Grand Reopening Following Major Renovation Project

GLOVERSVILLE, NY — The Senior Citizens Service Center of Gloversville and Fulton County, Inc. (aka Gloversville Senior Center) is proud to announce a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community open house to celebrate the grand reopening of the center at 53 Church St.

The event will take place on June 16 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., marking the completion of a significant revitalization project designed to modernize the facility and enhance services for the region’s senior community.

The journey to the center’s overhaul began in 2022 when the Gloversville Common Council initiated a federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for an engineering study. Conducted by Rochester-based LaBella Associates, that study served as the blueprint for the project. The vision became a reality in 2025 when the city secured $1 million in New York State CDBG funding, supplemented by $50,000 from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) and additional support through the Gloversville Revitalization and Improvement Program (GRIP) via the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). The grants were administered by City of Gloversville under the direction of Nick Zabawsky (Orion Management Company) and Jennifer Donovan (Fulton County Center for Regional Growth).

The facility and key improvements

The 6,000-square-foot facility, which is an estimated 50 years old, underwent an extensive interior and exterior transformation. Key improvements executed by construction firm Bast Hatfield include:

• Infrastructure: A complete roof replacement with a modern EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer) roof system and the installation of new rooftop mechanical units.
• Interior Modernization: Reconfigured activity rooms, an expanded kitchen, and upgraded dining room ductwork.
• Climate Control: Installation of a state-of-the-art heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
• Site Enhancements: Comprehensive re-landscaping, a re-paved parking lot, and a refreshed exterior facade.
• Asbestos removal from roof: While the interior of the building was asbestos-free, the former roof had to be abated prior to removal and the installation of a new one.

“This renovation is so much more than a construction project; it is a profound investment in the health, happiness, and quality of life for our seniors,” said Randy Smith, President of the Board for the Senior Citizens Service Center. “By transforming this facility into a modern, comfortable, and efficient space, we are ensuring that the center remains a vibrant hub for our community for decades to come. This achievement was made possible through an incredible spirit of collaboration. We are deeply grateful to all involved in this journey. We thank the New York State CDBG program, DASNY, and the Gloversville DRI/GRIP program. Their vital grant funding, combined with the hard work of our city officials and project partners Fulton County Center for Regional Growth (CRG), LaBella Architects, and Bast Hatfield, have turned our vision for a better facility into a reality for the seniors of our community.”

Mayor Gary Antonucci added, “By transforming this facility into a modern, comfortable, and efficient space, we are ensuring that the Senior Center remains a vibrant hub for our community for decades to come. This project is a testament to what we can achieve for our residents when local and state partners work together toward a common goal.”

Jennifer Donovan, Gloversville Downtown Development Specialist and DRI Coordinator, noted that the center’s transformation is a key piece of a much larger puzzle. “The corridor from the FJ&G Rail Trail to Main Street is being transformed thanks to the DRI,” Donovan said. “Between the expansion of Trail Station Park, the development of Glove City Lofts directly across from the center, and the nearby St. Thomas Square project, we are seeing a total revitalization of this neighborhood. The Senior Center project is particularly special as it marks the second GRIP project to celebrate its completion, following the success of The ShoeLeather Express in 2024.”

The ShoeLeather Express, located at 31 Spring St., was the first GRIP project completed in 2024. The project focused on critical exterior masonry work that not only beautified the historic facade but also significantly strengthened the building’s structural integrity. Since its completion, the square and round dance studio has expanded its impact on the community and now houses Trust Your Guts Production, a creative tenant that has become a major asset to the facility.

Event Details
What: Ribbon Cutting & Grand Reopening Open House
When: June 16, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: 53 Church St., Gloversville, NY 12078

Members of the public, local officials, and seniors from across Fulton County are invited to tour the renovated facility and enjoy light refreshments.