It was an occasion best summed up by music.

A song about little becoming much and ordinary people doing extraordinary things struck a chord at an open house for a mentally handicapped centre.

Among those nearly reduced to tears was Health and Family Services Minister Patrice Minors. ?That song touched me,?? she said.

Orange Valley Centre administrator Karen McCottry said: ?After the song I guess that answers who we are... ordinary people.?

The centre?s open house was held to celebrate its new temporary home at St. Brendan?s Social Centre. It has been located on the St. Brendan?s Hospital premises since last September.

?The Bermuda Hospitals Board has allowed us to use the facility,? said Mrs. McCottry.

Mrs. Minors restated her commitment to finding the centre a permanent home. ?I have no regrets in regards to a statement I made about finding a permanent place in three months? time for the trainees (mentally challenged persons). I have not met the deadline but am still committed to finding a permanent location.?

She said a committee made up of parents and Government?s Chief Medical Officer John Cann had been formed to identify a location. ?It has been frustrating not just for the parents but also for the workers. I commend the construction team for their tireless efforts and Mrs. McCottry has done well with what has been placed in her hands.?

Dr. Cann said: ?We have been challenged with finding a new home. This facility gives you a feel for where we will go with our new facility when we get it.

?The old facility had separate classrooms, this one is more open. The open area provides room to lay mats down and exercise the trainees.?

Many trainees and their parents attended yesterday?s open house. Artwork done by the trainees was displayed and on sale for guests.

Shirley Blakeney, who has a son at the centre, said: ?We are here to celebrate our temporary relocation of the centre and our new much needed bus. We look forward to your continued support as we move into our new facility.?

The Orange Valley Centre is located at 44 Devon Springs, Devonshire. It was previously located at the current school for special needs at Orange Valley.