Hundreds come to new Aging Resource Center open house
BUTLER TWP — Hundreds of older residents came to Thursday’s debut of the Butler County Aging Resource Center.
The parking lot of the center located at 215 N. Duffy Road filled up, causing many people to park in the lawn for an open house that started at 3 p.m.
Earlier in the day, legislators representing the county joined the county commissioners for a tour of the new facility intended to be a one-stop shop for older residents.
The center houses the merged memberships of the Butler and Mount Chestnut senior centers, the county Area Agency on Aging office, the county Veteran’s Services office and a pickleball court.
Older residents who register at the center are served lunch Tuesdays through Fridays, and can participate in exercise classes and other activities, said Beth Herold, director of the Area Agency on Aging.
Having the Veteran’s Services office in the building is a huge benefit for older residents, she said.
“We serve so many of the same people,” Herold said. “There’s so many people. They’re excited. We had the legislators here earlier. They were all happy with it. It was nice for them to see it.”
Veteran’s Services Director Shawnee Young said veterans who haven’t used her office’s services before came in Thursday.
“It’s nice for them to know we’re here and ready to help,” Young said.
She said the new office is more convenient and provides easier parking than the old office, which was located on the fifth floor in the Butler County Government Center on West Diamond Street, and now the office is only a half mile from the VA Butler Healthcare Medical Center on North Duffy Road.
“We’re in a much more accessible location and we hope it allows more vets to come and see us,” Young said.
Pat Collodi and Pearl Kocher, both of Butler, were excited about the new center.
“Everything is beautiful. I can’t wait to come,” Collodi said.
She said she enjoyed the exercise classes at the Tanglewood Center and is looking forward to the classes at the new center.
Kocher said she’s been coming to the Butler Senior Center for 21 years and the new center is an improvement over the Tanglewood Center.
“This is beautiful,” said Vickie Moser, who used to be a member at the Mount Chestnut Senior Center. “We get to meet new people.”
Terry Reich of Butler said she just joined the senior center and found it beautiful and conveniently located close to her home.
“I’m looking forward to it and meeting new people,” she said.
Sandy Geither, of Butler, said she loved “dancing to the oldies” at the Tanglewood Center and hopes dancing is among the activities at the new center.
“It’s wonderful. Very nice,” she said.
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Brad Crutchman has a snack during the Butler Area Agency on Aging Resource Center open house, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Brad Crutchman, left, and Gary Crutchman have a snack during the Butler Area Agency on Aging Resource Center open house, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Attendees of the Butler Area Agency on Aging Resource Center open house visit the new facility, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Attendees of the Butler Area Agency on Aging Resource Center open house visit the new facility, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Attendees of the Butler Area Agency on Aging Resource Center open house visit the exercise room at the new location, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Attendees of the Butler Area Agency on Aging Resource Center open house visit the community room at the new facility off North Duffy Road, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Dan and Jane Hartzler look at some of the items in a gift bag they received during the Butler Area Agency on Aging Resource Center open house, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Attendees of the Butler Area Agency on Aging Resource Center open house visit the community room at the new facility off North Duffy Road, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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The Butler Area Agency on Aging Resource Center facility features several rooms including rest rooms, a community room and more, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
