By Amy Moore

The News staff writer

After 55 years on 36th Street, the Capland Center has a new home.

Since moving in to the new location in January, Doris Hale is excited the building still has a fresh, new scent.

“It’s like having a new car,” she said of the new building. “It’s wonderful, but so different. We’ve only been here a little while so it takes some getting used to.”

Hale, executive director of the center, said the planning of the construction of the new building began years ago.

“The project began long before I became executive director. [The previous director] began it and I’ve completed it,” Hale said. “Because we are a non-profit agency, she secured grants from major foundations for the new building.”

Through the grants and assistance from the United Way of Port Arthur, Orange County and Beaumont, the Capland Center is able to help provide speech and hearing services to those who would not be able to afford it otherwise. The services they provide come at little to no cost to their clients.

“We are only non profit speech and hearing center in the area,” Hale said. “Volunteers are always welcome but we usually don’t have a problem getting them because Capland has such a rich history. Plus the area Sertoma Clubs are big supporters.”

Hale said there was a need for a new building for added space, something the new building, located at 2660 Aero Drive in Port Arthur, has plenty of.

“I’m still finding my way around. Sometimes I forget how big it is and feel like I need to rest when I’m walking through,” she joked.

Going from just over 4,000 square feet to over 6,200 square feet, the new building offers more therapy rooms, each with a private observation suite.

And the people receiving therapy in those rooms range in age from toddlers to teens to elderly.

“We work with adults and children. Adults who have had strokes or brain injuries and children with speech problems - we address all areas,” Hale said. “We are here to serve.”

The therapists at the Capland Center, who Hale calls knowledgeable, wonderful ladies, are all masters level speech pathologists. They are also working on becoming American Speech and Hearing Association certified.