The Boothbay Region Health and Wellness Foundation is nearly ready to open its brand new Community Center, which is located in the Meadow Mall in the former bank space between Boothbay Harbor Framers and the Family Dollar store. The grand opening will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29.

The center has several rooms, including areas to practice knitting or play cards or board games, a teaching room, and a computer area. There is a buffet area for potluck lunches and quiet spaces to sit and read or enjoy a conversation with a friend.

“There are no membership fees, no dues to pay,” said Jane Good, chairman of Community Center Committee. “This is a place where everyone is welcome and no one has to sit home alone and lonely.”

While the site was originally planned as a senior center, the committee very recently decided to open up the center to all ages.

“Whoever shows is welcome,” Good said. “While we will have classes more geared towards the seniors in the community, since 40 percent of our population is 65 or older, we saw no reason other ages couldn't use the area. Maybe a young boy likes to play cribbage or cards; he's more than welcome to come and play with everyone.”

There are also plans to create a partnership with young people in the area, so they can come down to the center and help seniors learn how to use Skype to keep in touch with relatives who live around the country.

“We also have plans to provide rides for people who can't get down to the center on their own in the future,” Good said.

During the grand opening, there will be two lists. One will have a wishlist, where people can write down what they would like to see at the center. The other will be a list where people can write down how they can help make it happen.

“Maybe someone wants to see saxophone lessons,” Good said. “Another person could write that they'd be willing to come in and teach those classes. This is a community-driven and community-powered center, a project to bring people together.”

Good said the outpouring of support has been “a little overwhelming” and she hopes the enthusiasm continues.

Currently the plan is for the center to be open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with some classes (such a yoga or lectures on the civil war, for example) held at night. The committee is very flexible on the hours and wants to hear from the community what is wanted and needed.

“We might do weekends, if people volunteer to staff it,” Good said.

The center is being opened at no cost to the town or anyone using it. For the first year, all costs are being shouldered by the foundation as a gift to the area.