Administration, donors, and city and county officials join in breaking ground at site next to Veterans Building
It was a moment Solvang Senior Center Executive Director Ellen Albertoni had been waiting for, and for a split secondthe emotion of the moment got to her.
As the head of the Senior Center was welcoming a packed house at the Solvang Veterans Center on Juan 15, her voice cracked a bit.
“This is so overwhelming,” Albertoni said after quickly composing herself. “This is a momentous occasion, and what better way to ring in the new year, the first month of the new year, than with a brand new building we all worked so hard for.”
Albertoni admitted later, after the ceremony, that the emotion of the moment briefly go to her.
“I promised myself I wouldn’t do that, but really, how can you not be emotional,” Albertoni said later after the ceremony. “It’s been a long road to get here.”
And the road to building Solvang Senior Center’s project to construct a new state-of-the-art facility has officially begun. After demolition of the existing modular building was completed earlier this month, and the groundbreaking took place at the American Legion Wing of the Solvang Veterans Memorial Building.
The event included remarks from key stakeholders, refreshments, and the ceremonial “golden shovel” moment to mark the start of construction at the site next to the Veterans Building, along Maple Avenue.
The ceremony before the “shovel” moment, held in the packed dining room, featured a number of speakers in addition to Albertoni, including Board Member Jan Clevenger; Kathleen Campbell, daughter of former Solvang Mayor Willi Campbell, and Linda Johansen, who did a lot of fundraising for the center.
For Campbell it was a special thing to speak at the event, because as she said, “I am granted the privilege of reading these remarks as I stand in for my adorable mom.”
Willi Campbell, who was Solvang’s first mayor, was a huge advocate for a new Senior Center, according to Kathleen.
“Willi was the epitome of the active senior — or as she called herself, a community activist,” Kathleen said. “She recognized that the current center was not only insufficient for her current members, but wholly inadequate.
“And here we are today turning dreams into reality. Picture a community where every senior thrives, their wisdom enriching all of us. That’s the dream we’re building today.”
After those remarks, Campbell expressed her gratitude at the many people, whose names were listed on the screen behind her. She also gave thanks to the City of Solvang for its help, after which Mayor David Brown and City Manager Randy Murphy came to the front and presented Campbell with a check for $450,000 meant for the Senior Center.
The next speaker was Linda Johansen, who found donors like Montecito Bank & Trust and the Chumash Foundation, but the donation she remembered the best was the one from Dr. Virgil Elings, the one that put the Senior Center effort over the $1 million mark.
“Dr. Elings became my knight in shining armor, because he did step up,” Johansen said. “He delivered not once, but twice … I went back a second time to ask if they could give more money because of the prevailing wage, and I said ‘ifyou could just add to your donation and get us to that million-dollar mark …”
“I was driving halfway back to Santa Ynez when my phone rang and I had to pull the car over,” Johansen continued.”When he told me he’d donate the money, I don’t remember what I said because I was just babbling.”
So now the building begins, as the construction contract has been awarded to Urquidez Building Corporation, a general contracting firm based in Los Olivos. Chris Urquidez, owner of the firm, stated, “We are honored to build this new community center — the first of its kind in the Valley in over two decades. This state-of-the-art facility, with its flexible floor plan, spacious dining hall, and multiple meeting rooms, will serve as a hub for community gatherings and events.It truly reflects the spirit of collaboration and vibrancy that defines our community.”
The new 5,500-square-foot, two-story building will double the size of the current facility, offering expanded resources for active aging adults and multi-generational programming. Construction is expected to be completed within 18 months.
During the construction period, the Center’s classes and activities will continue uninterrupted at the American Legion Wing. The Center currently offers over 20 weekly classes and activities, nutrition programs, community outreach initiatives, and educational events.
“One big thing we’re getting ready for is the free AARP tax preparations for all our seniors, who get help in filing,” Albertoni said. “Last year, we helped out 400 people with this program.”
For more information on the Center’s programs and services, visit www.solvangseniorcenter.org, email ssctr@verizon.net, or call (805) 688-3793 to schedule a tax preparation appointment.
About Solvang Senior Center:
The Solvang Senior Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1978, serves as the Santa Ynez Valley’s hub for active aging adults aged 55 and older. With a mission to enhance lives through diverse programs and activities, the Center fosters connections and provides essential resources for independent living. Located at 1745 Mission Dr., Solvang, California, behind the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall, the Center is supported by memberships, donations, and grants from foundations, businesses, and government entities. For a comprehensive list of services and events, visit www.solvangseniorcenter.org.
