ROCHELLE – After nearly a year of closed doors, the Hub City Senior Center is reopening.

“We are opening on Monday but are easing back into activities,” center director Connie Dougherty said. 

The center will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Seniors are welcome to come in for coffee, to visit and to play pool. 

According to Dougherty, under advisement from the Ogle County Health Department, there will be no Bingo, quilting, woodworking Movie Day or birthday parties. Lunch is also not being served yet.

“We will gradually add these activities back in,” Dougherty said.

With the reopening there are new rules and regulations that visitors will need to follow as well, including the initial change to the hours of operation. The maximum capacity will also be 50 people.

Other rules and regulations include:

Masks must be worn at all times, both when entering and exiting the facility, as well as for the duration while in the building. If unable to wear a mask, please stay home.

Everyone will maintain social distancing at all times, which means staying six-feet from each other unless you are members of the same household.

Upon entering the building each person’s name and contact information will be recorded and temperature will be taken. If a person has a fever of 100 degrees or more, they will not be allowed to enter. Likewise, if a person has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or has had exposure to someone with COVID-19, they are asked to stay home.

Anyone exhibiting symptoms throughout their time at the senior center will be asked to leave.

A limit of three people can be seated at each table in the dining room.

“We are really happy to be opening back up but we want to remind everyone to follow the guidelines so that we can move forward and hopefully add more activities,” Dougherty  added.

Visitors will be surprised to find some improvements at the center as well.

While the center has been closed, a variety of projects have been completed including painting, replacing cupboards and redecorating areas of the center.

Dougherty  said local transportation is available for those needing it. Call the center at 815-562-5050 to schedule a ride.