A ceremony Thursday afternoon will celebrate a years-long project to have an elevator at the Dawson County Senior Center.

The center's new elevator was approved for use after its final inspection last Wednesday.

The county will dedicate the elevator to the seniors of the community at 1 p.m. Thursday.

Dawson County Senior Center Director Margie Weaver said she couldn't be happier for the residents who use the center's many programs and activities.

"It means an awful lot to us, because the clients will be able to use the elevator to go downstairs to take part in the activities, and they're very excited," Weaver said. "Our seniors were so excited on [Dec. 20] when they found it was working. It was super to see their faces."

County Manager Kevin Tanner said the community, which helped make the project possible, is invited to the celebration.

"I'm the most proud that citizens came together to raise a substantial amount of money to make this possible," he said.

A community-backed fundraising campaign for the elevator began in 2009 and resulted in collecting $42,832. Then in February, county commissioners voted to cover the remaining nearly $17,000 needed to install the elevator.

"With the help of the board of commissioners, the seniors of this community will be well served by this project for many years to come," Tanner said.