4 minute read
Community Center Provides Year-Round Fun for Everyone
Whether you utilize the Community Center (350 N. Cleveland Ave.) daily or occasionally, being a pass holder can offer endless opportunities to meet health and fitness goals while engaging with fellow community members. Westerville resident Sarah Gordon and Juls Rathje, a visual arts teacher at Genoa Middle School, have found ample ways to utilize the Community Center all year around–for themselves and their families.
The Gordon family visits the Community Center every other day. Sarah, a mother of four children ages 1-8, loves the variety of classes offered for all of her children and likes to spend time at the indoor playground, especially as the weather begins to turn. She and her husband also like to utilize the Community Center for fitness purposes: she prefers pool exercise while her husband likes to workout in the fitness center that boasts more than 70 cardiovascular machines, state-of-the-art strength training equipment and an indoor track.
“I feel like it has something for everybody. My 8-year-old is very artistic, so we like the art-focused activities and classes. My husband and I love to work out, so it improves our physical fitness,” said Gordon. “It also supports community engagement, because we’re always there and can say ‘hi’ to our neighbors and whoever else is there. It really helps build those relationships. It keeps us busy and gives us a purpose, because we have somewhere to be for whatever reason. We love it all.”
Rathje also enjoys the benefits the Community Center provides her and her family, as well as her fellow teachers and students through collaborative programming. The Rathje family visits the Community Center weekly and has engaged in a variety of programs and activities that promote wellness. The Rathje children, ages 10 and 13, have participated in martial arts, climbing wall classes, swimming and teen night while the Rathje parents have participated in various exercise classes. Rathje noted another benefit that the Community Center offers that outweighs all others, in her opinion–connectedness.
“My favorite part is the sense of community. Whenever we go in, everyone is always so welcoming and encouraging,” said Rathje. “I feel like they set up a good environment, and I usually go with a friend, so it’s nice. I love the couches where it’s a relaxing, safe environment where we can hang out before we take a yoga class.”
Intentional Programming
One thing that sets the Community Center apart from other facilities is the intentionality behind the multi-generational, inclusive program offerings.
“The Westerville Parks and Recreation Department strives to provide an array of programs and activities that support the health and wellness of our community members and creates opportunities to increase connectedness,” said Randy Auler, Director of Parks and Recreation. “Through the Fitness and Wellness, Arts and Culture, Aquatics, Older Adult, Youth, Sport Leagues, Virtual Recreation and Adaptive and Inclusive programs, Parks and Recreation provides full access to programs that promote overall wellness for all community members.”
“I’m always taking my kids there, but I really appreciate the variety of offerings for adults,” said Rathje.
Gordon is also fond of the Community Center’s multi-generational approach to programming.
“My in-laws and my parents play pickleball and also take workout classes at the Community Center and the Senior Center is right there, so we get to see them when we’re there for other reasons, which is always really fun,” said Gordon whose father regularly attends the monthly Pancake Breakfast with her nuclear family. “I love that the Community Center is for all ages. It’s truly for everyone; from my 1-year-old to my parents who are in their 60s.”
Parks and Recreation also regularly partners and collaborates with local organizations to expand offerings and meet programming needs.
“I’m a mom first, but as an educator, I love that the Community Center collaborates with other community organizations,” said Rathje, referring to a recent interactive art show held at the Community Center with Westerville City Schools and local art and music organizations.
“It was a multi-generational event with different age groups and skill levels. It’s an awesome environment where programs are supported, the arts are supported and families have these really awesome opportunities. I’m just so grateful that we get to be a part of a fantastic community.”
To learn more about everything the Community Center has to offer throughout the year, please visit www.westerville.org/parks.
