Shuttered by pandemic, Everett's Carl Gipson Center reopens
EVERETT — Billiard balls rolled, bridge boards were dealt and ping-pong balls clacked Wednesday morning on opposite ends of the Carl Gipson Center.
It was the daytime center’s third day open after the city closed it in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. About 50 people filtered in for billiards, bridge, exercise or to solve a crossword by the 11:30 a.m. lunch, provided by Homage Senior Services.
Monty Futch, of Everett, joined the then-city run Carl Gipson Senior Center in 2011 so he could play in the weekly bridge games.
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Everett’s parks and recreation department used to operate the senior center at 3025 Lombard Ave. But the pandemic prompted city leaders to end the programs and shutter the building, aside from the take-home lunch service that continued through the pandemic.
It remained closed while other activities resumed.
Now, under a 14-year agreement with the city, Volunteers of America of Western Washington manages the facility and programs for older adults. They dropped “Senior” from the center’s name and lowered the age requirement to 50.
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/shuttered-by-pandemic-everetts-carl-gipson-center-reopens/