COEUR d’ALENE — After months of "drive-through" and carryout service, Lake City Center has returned to providing in-house congregate meals.

The center is again offering lunch for a $5 suggested donation for seniors 60 and older in the dining hall at noon Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Reservations must be made by 11 a.m. Lunch is $7 for those younger than 60 and $4.25 for those younger than 8. The drive-through meal service will be phased out by Feb. 28.

"The COVID numbers are going down and Gov. Little allowed us to go back up to gatherings of 50 people," administrative director Marlys Silva said Thursday. "We were really waiting on that so we reopen everything again."

Bingo will start again Feb. 18, adding to the roster of activities at the nonprofit community and senior center.

"I know our card games, they’re really starting to come back," Silva said. "The people who want to see their friends, they're coming back full force."

Silva said this return to somewhat normal is huge for the center, which hasn't really had any events for at least nine months.

"People have been very generous and our center is really successful," she said. "But more than that, people need to be in here with their friends.

"Let’s get back to whatever normal is, with their friends, and not being alone all the time," she continued. "It’s really important for them to get out and socialize."

Mike Austin of Hayden, who plays pool at the center, echoed that it's a good thing venues are opening up more.

"I think if they don't they're making a mistake," he said.

An open house and grand re-opening event will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 2 with facility tours, music, food and fun.

Lake City Center will also serve as an AARP Tax-Aide site. Starting March 1, people can call the center to make appointments. Because of COVID, those needing help with taxes will drop them off with the AARP greeter, who will call when the taxes are complete.

"We're trying to get everything together so they can have a couple preparers," Silva said. "A lot of the elderly depend on that service."

Groups are limited to 50 people with masks or social distancing.

To make a Tax-Aide appointment or for details about Lake City Center's lunches and events, visit www.lakecitycenter.org or call 208-667-4628.