A new senior center was opened at Union Hill with an open house Thursday.

The opening attracted about 100 people, including state and county elected officials.

The center will serve as a gathering place for senior citizens who previously met at a center in Morgan City. They meet to talk, work crafts, play games and eat lunch.

District 4 Commissioner Greg Abercrombie said the county is planning to build a new senior center to replace the one at Lacey’s Spring. While the facility is in the planning and construction phases, those who attend there are invited to attend the new Union Hill center.

The 11 acres for the Union Hill center were purchased at an auction in 2009. A portion of the land was used to construct a new road.

The work was done by district shop employees, saving the district and county an estimated $750,000. The internal cost was $275,000, which included straightening a curve and creating a four-way stop.

The new center has state-of-art amenities, including a screened back porch lined with rocking chairs, a safe room, handicap accessible restrooms and new furnishings.

Seniors attending the open house expressed appreciation for the center.