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HARPERSVILLE – Though an official grand opening is still weeks away, the new Harpersville Community Center could host its first event on Tuesday, Oct. 30.

Harpersville Mayor Don Greene said the “Coffee with the Mayor” event sponsored by the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce is tentatively being planned for the new facility.

Crews are still wrapping up work on the Community Center, Greene said, and town officials plan to walk through and create a punch list next week.

A grand opening could be held in January, after the holidays, Greene said.

Another sneak peek for the community could be offered during Harpersville Day on Saturday, Nov. 10.

“We want it to be a showplace,” Greene said. “We want to have more people available and probably would around the first of the year.”

Harpersville last year purchased a 14,000-square-foot strip mall located across Alabama 25 from Town Hall for $480,000.

Space in the shopping center that formerly housed a pharmacy was made the new home of the Harpersville Library, which celebrated its grand opening in June.

A larger former sports practice space and other stores are being renovated to serve as a Community Center, Senior Center and storm shelter.

The Community Center will be available for residents to rent for birthday parties, weddings, family reunions and other events, as well as being used for town functions like Harpersville Day.

The center could possibly accommodate 300 people, Greene said, dependent on the fire marshal’s final determination.

The Senior Center will provide a new home for a group organized by the Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging that is currently meeting at a church in Vincent.

The seniors would be able to enjoy meals at the new center as well as other activities, including using an exercise room.

A kitchen and restroom facilities serve both the Community Center and Senior Center.

A storm shelter than can hold about 150 people was also installed in the building, as was some office space that could be used to accommodate county officials.

“It’s going to be something that is good for the community,” Greene said.

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