SOUTH PORTLAND — The city will celebrate the grand opening Wednesday of a Senior Drop-in Center for residents and nonresidents age 50 and older in a newly renovated space at the South Portland Community Center.

The senior center is located in a cluster of rooms at the Nutter Road entrance to the community center, where the recreation department previously operated a child-care program, said Karla Doyon, senior coordinator.

City officials had planned to open the senior center sooner, but those plans were derailed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the rooms were used as a satellite office of the cramped municipal finance department at City Hall. The temporary office allowed residents to maintain social distancing when registering vehicles or paying tax bills.

The senior center answers an identified need in Maine and South Portland. Maine is the oldest state based on median age, which is 44.8 years. It was designated an Age-Friendly State by AARP in 2018 and the Mills’ administration adopted an age-friendly plan in 2021 to help older Mainers live well and safely.

Nearly one-quarter of South Portland’s 26,498 residents are age 60 or older, and about one-third of all households include one or more people age 65 or older, according to U.S. Census data presented in an action plan by Age Friendly South Portland.

Renovations for the senior center started in 2020 and were completed after the finance office moved back to City Hall.

The grand opening will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., kicking off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Light refreshments will be served and participants will be invited to try some of the activities that will be offered at the center, including cards, puzzle time, coloring and board games.

The community center at 21 Nelson Road is closed to the public this week for annual cleaning and maintenance operations.

Starting Sept. 6, the senior center will be open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. to noon.