At the town’s Senior Center, residents learn new skills, socialize and dine. Soon they’ll also have the opportunity to do some weightlifting.

Last week, Center Director Sharon Lally presented Selectmen with a plan to reconfigure the space inside the center by demolishing an interior wall. The change would make space for exercise equipment. The equipment was donated awhile ago, but limited space kept it in storage.

“We started with the project because years ago we acquired a full set of equipment from a fitness club that went out of business,” Lally said. “It’s been stored all this time in the highway barn.”

Lally and Facilities Manager Andrew Daniel developed plans to knock down a wall between an office space and the activity room. Other internal changes are planned too. The building’s exterior would be left untouched.

Recently, Lally said a survey mailed to residents made it clear that additional space was needed to accommodate the center’s busy schedule.

“Sometimes there are three or four programs going in the same room and that was disruptive,” she said.

Funds from the center’s donation account will pay for the renovations. Aside from the facilities manager’s time, no town resources will be used Lally said.

“We have ample funding in the account to cover the cost,” she said. “[Daniel’s] time on the job would be the only cost to the town.”

Once finished, Lally said she hopes to attract a wide variety of seniors to use the equipment. She also said expanding programming was a recommendation set during the center’s accreditation process.

“We offer services for many seniors, from our most senior citizens to the ones who are younger,” Lally said. “We hope this brings in some of the baby boomers.”

Selectmen approved the renovation, but not before former Town Administrator Rich LaCamera reminded Lally about insurance liability.

“This is important,” LaCamera said. “People need to be trained on how to use the equipment.”