The recent heat wave hasn’t stopped a bunch of Senior Center regulars from venturing outdoors, and it’s all thanks to a refurbished gazebo just a few feet from the front door of the Church Street building.
‘It’s great for us to get out there in the nice weather and the great setting with the flowers,? said senior Don Whitaker.
Whitaker enjoys reading the newspaper in the gazebo, which was paved this spring as part of Lake Orion High School graduate Brendan Regan’s Eagle Scout service project.
In addition to the paving, Regan and his team of 10 also added a handicapped accessible walkway from the existing sidewalk. A new picnic table, also handicapped accessible, and some flowers from the Garden Club provided the finishing touches.
‘It’s been great for the seniors,? said Senior Center Director Lisa Sokol. ‘They even come out in 90-degree weather. They have really enjoyed what Brendan has done.?
Sokol added that the gazebo has occasionally become an after-hours hangout once the center closes for the day.
‘The center is so active, sometimes it’s hard to find a place to just socialize,? she said. ‘It really gives us an extra outdoor room.?
Sokol said Brendan’s commitment to the project and attention to detail made the end result a success for everyone.
‘I’ve heard a lot of good things from the people here,? Regan noted, saying the project itself took five days and 95 man hours, in addition to some touch up work laying sod.
Regan said the chiseling of concrete near the gazebo’s posts and digging in order to lay the concrete were the most time consuming parts.
‘The plans worked, but we had to play it a lot by ear,? Regan said.
The project was finished on May 22 and Regan had his Board of Review a couple weeks ago.
Last week, Regan left for West Point Military Academy, but Sokol said the Senior Center would like to throw a party for him and his team of workers when he comes home on break.
Family members Patty, Tim, Chip and Jeremiah Regan donated their time, as well as some friends and fellow scouts such as Bryan Crowles, Kevin Friesmuth, Max Hock, Chris Attenberger and Evan Smith.
Regan is a member of Troop #366 in Oxford and was honored at a recent Orion Township Board of Trustees meeting for his efforts.
The project received donations from the Home Depot in Auburn Hills, The Lake Orion Kroger, Van Horn Concrete and the township, as well as monetary donations from Ticona, Gayle Hinds, Amy Musary, Michael Palmer and Chip Regan.
‘My family has helped out a lot and the community stepped up,? Regan said. ‘I’m pleased with the finished project and I think the seniors are enjoying it.?