SNEADS FERRY -- Senior citizens living in Onslow County's Sneads Ferry area now have access to a new senior center.
The county opened the center's doors on Feb. 1 to fit the growing number of retirees.
Sneads Ferry resident Robert Yopp grew up riding bikes around what it now the Sneads Ferry Senior Services Center.
He's seen the center begin as a gas station.
"Whenever we'd leave the movie, we'd stop here and get us a drink, potato chips or something like that, you know," said Yopp.
He says the building has been remodeled multiple times.
"They remodeled it, and then it became a bank. I put my $10 in this bank," said Yopp.
A few weeks ago Yopp and his wife heard the building was becoming the new Sneads Ferry Senior Services Center.
"We were just wanting to come out and be here to talk to some of the people, the older people," said Yopp.
The director says the new location provides enough space for seniors to do everything from their taxes to exercise. The former location really only provided enough space for nutrition services.
"Now we have more room to do that. We can offer these programs to the diverse clientele that is Sneads Ferry," said Onslow Co. Senior Services Director Christine Kinnett.
Kinnett says it's important to grow your services with a growing community, while Yopp says the building he's seen transform over the years, continues to service the community.
"It actually has a lot of the community action kind of feeling. You can relate to people and talk with them," said Yopp.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place Monday at 10 a.m. at the center.