The North Berkeley Senior Center closed this week “out of an abundance of caution” after rats were found in the ceiling.
The city hired a pest controller to inspect the building and place traps, wrote Berkeley Manager of Aging Services Rhianna Babka in an email to the Chronicle. The senior center is expected to reopen the week of April 20.
Babka said that as of Friday afternoon, the extent of the rat infestation wasn’t yet known.
Seniors who typically enjoy their lunch at the center are being redirected to the South Berkeley Senior Center at 2939 Ellis St. The city is also distributing frozen meals to seniors who can’t access the other site.
“This is obviously unfortunate and disruptive,” Babka wrote. “Staff are working hard to eradicate the rats and secure the building.”