It will still likely be a few weeks before a new center for adults with special needs opens, but locals had their first chance to check the facility out on Wednesday.

Creative Enterprises Forsyth held two open houses to tour their new facility on Pilgrim Mill Road, which was previously used by the city of Cumming’s Parks and Recreation Department.

The building will be used as a day program for adults with special needs who are too old to attend the local school system.

Lisa Bennett, a retired special education teacher who spearheaded the effort, said the center is “not a day care.”

“We will serve clients who are between the ages, typically, of 22 all the way up until they can’t come any longer,” Bennett said. “The program will focus on maintaining those skills they have: social skills, being out in the community and acting appropriately, preparing simple meals, getting dressed and getting dressed for the weather, current events, and we’ll do arts and music and things like that, too.”

Bennett said currently there is no program to deal with students once they graduate.

“They get out of high school, where they have a structured day and all that, then one day you go to school and the next day you have nothing,” she said. “They deserve to have a purpose, and they deserve to have things to do and a social life, and we need to provide that.”

In March, the Cumming City Council voted unanimously to rent the building out at a cost of $1 per year, similar to an agreement between the program and Lawrenceville.

The building features games, music areas, rooms for instruction and a kitchen where students will learn cooking skills. Bennett said the program is in talks with local businesses about work programs.

Jane Loop, a special education substitute teacher, said she attended the open house because she was interested in volunteering and was impressed with what she saw.

“I love it. It is so bright, cheerful, colorful,” Loop said. “I think there is a great need in this county for the students after they graduate to have a program to attend, to feel needed and to still be able to accomplish and learn.”

Bennett said the program is awaiting state approval and will open a week after receiving it.

Registration is ongoing, though the center can only take on 10 new students at a time — the first class has been filled. Bennett said the group will hopefully add 10 new students six weeks after opening and 10 more in another six weeks.

She said she hopes about 70 students will be served.

Those who are interested in registering for the program or looking for more information can go to ceisite.com. Registration can be completed under the “Forsyth Campus” tab.

Bennett said once the program is approved it will provide a huge benefit to the city.

“It is something that is well past its time,” Bennett said. “The service we’re going to provide for these folks and their families is going to be amazing and just to give them relief and support and purpose is what it’s all about. I’m so glad we’re at this point.”