Chess, billiards, painting and baking are just a few activities offered on a daily basis at Canterbury Care Center Adult Day Services.

Episcopal Retirement Communities opened the facility on the ground floor of the former St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Bremerton Jan. 19.

Administrator Cynthia Pealstrom, who oversees Canterbury Care Center and Canterbury Manor, pushed her board to open the adult day care facility because there were limited services available in the area.

“This is actually the first full-time day care community for seniors in Kitsap County,” Pealstrom said.

Canterbury Care Center program director Jena Holtz said the program is “based on individual wants and needs.” Participants can partake in a variety of activities throughout the week including music, arts and fitness.

“There’s a variety of things we can do,” Holtz said. “It’s very flexible.”

Holtz said she plans to set up a computer center and teach seniors basic computer skills in the future.

“We’re hoping to get some computers and do computer education,” she said.

Holtz said seniors are served meals and snacks at Canterbury Care Center and a quiet bedroom area is available for clients to take naps or rest.

Holtz said she plans to get the clients outdoors when the weather is nicer to plant flowers and herbs. She added that she’s always looking for artists, musicians and others to entertain and spend time with the clients.

“The dream was to create a unique environment and based on the feedback, I’d say we’ve done that,” Pealstrom said.

Canterbury Care Center is open weekdays and equipped to serve 36 clients. It is geared toward seniors ages 62 and older who may have some mobility and currently reside in assisted-living communities or live with family members.

“We are open to anybody that fits in this environment, as long as they’re comfortable,” Pealstrom said.

There are two trained staff members on-hand at all times to assist clients with eating or in the restroom.

“Our intention is a senior center with some support,” Pealstrom said. “We want to provide that same living environment and get them out of the house.”

Canterbury Care Center is a nonprofit and everything from the pool table to the art supplies have been donated or bought for cheap.

“It’s been an awesome community project,” Pealstrom said.

Clients must complete an application to be accepted to Canterbury Care Center. The organization offers drop-in, part-time or full-day care. Pealstrom said it costs anywhere from $10-$15 an hour, but the organization offers special rates for low-income people and will begin accepting Medicaid in a few months.

Canterbury Care Center’s grand opening is scheduled for 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27 at the facility located at 1547 Sheridan Road in Bremerton. The public is welcome to attend.

For information about Canterbury Care Center, call (360) 479-3267 or visit www.cccadultday.org.