Grand Opening of Sherman Oaks Adult Center Attracts Big Crowd

After seven years of work by residents, public officials and concerned citizens, the Sherman Oaks/East Valley Adult Center had its grand opening on Thursday at an event marked by high spirits, song and the participation of several city officials and community leaders.

The 16,000-square-foot facility at 5056 Van Nuys Blvd. will provide services for more than 12,000 seniors in the communities of Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Van Nuys, North Hollywood and Valley Glen. The East Valley Senior Center before moving and merging with the Sherman Oaks Senior Center.

"I love it," said 94-year-old Yogi Cullen, sporting a colorful baseball hat. The facility has actually been open since August, but Thursday's event was the official opening.

"This place is keeping me alive," Cullen added.

The ceremonies began with a stirring rendition of "God Bless America," sung by Pat Walmisley, and the crowd of more than 100 people applauded her warmly.

City Councilman Paul Krekorian, who hosted the event, said, "This has been a long journey, and you can see the end of that journey is this magnificent facility."

Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel, who used to represent the district in the City Council, has been called the driving force behind the center, which replaced the original building that was put up in 1961.

"This was a labor of love," Greuel said. "This facility is a model for the rest of the city and for other cities."

"I used to take my mother here on Tuesdays to play cards," said Jill Banks Barad, president of the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council, of the site.

The center is already providing classes for seniors in nutrition, memory training and exercise programs, in addition to entertainment, games and meals during the week.

"We also provide enormous help to seniors who cannot make it here," said Sherry Revord, director of the center.

"The core of our mission is to take care of frail home-bound seniors," she said. "We provide them with hot lunches, house cleaning services, we'll even wash their dishes. We fix their homes. We'll feed them, even bathe them," said Revord, who is a former advertising and entertainment industry professional.

Funding for the construction came from a combination of state grants, city funds and Community Development Block Grants. The LEED-certified building’s wood floors were built using reclaimed planks; lighting is motion-sensitive, and the paint is lead-free and odorless. Most of the materials come from fewer than 50 miles away, and the building, designated as an emergency evacuation center, is seismic-proof.

Many of Sherman Oaks' most prominent citizens attended the event, including honorary mayor Jules Feir.

Los Angeles Police Capt. Paul Snell and Batallion Chief Steve Ruda of the Los Angeles City Fire Department were introduced.

A sign on the front of the building says, "We make LA a better place."

"It sure does," Cullen said. "It gets me out of bed and gives me someplace to go."

As the ceremony was finishing up, workers were already preparing lunch in the kitchen.

"Is there enough food to feed all these people?" Cullen wondered. "I hope there's enough left for us," he added with a smile.