A Brotherly Bond

Community Center fosters budding relationship between members

Physical health and mental wellness operate as leading core values at the Westerville Community Center.

A group of men have found the Community Center to be a source of socialization and comradery through daily activities and exercise routines. What started off as individuals seeking recreation has transformed into a full-on brotherhood.

“I’ve been coming here since it opened,” said Mike S., a long-time Community Center passholder. “We’re a brotherhood here. We don’t just work out. We talk about each other’s issues. It’s friendship, and we love it.”

The Community Center – located at 350 N. Cleveland Ave. – serves as a hub for community members to gather, learn and support each other. The City’s Parks and Recreation staff develop extensive programs to ensure community members of all ages and walks of life can thrive in a collaborative environment, promoting health and wellness and recreation.

“The Community Center is a crown jewel of our community,” said Jeff M. “It helps the group stay active while connecting with one another.”

From swimming to water aerobics, to upper and lower-body weight-lifting, to cardio work and range-of-motion exercises, the Community Center offers a wide variety of activities that has kept the daily group workouts anything but routine for the men.

“We really mix it up and target different muscle groups so we maximize what we’re doing,” said Paul G.

“I think it’s because we kind of jelled,” said Larry R. “We were always around each other, and then Coach, he was really good at lifting and coaching lifting. He’s taken us through the mechanics of lifting and how [older adults] should lift.”

“Coach,” as Larry R. referred, is Oran S., who formerly roamed the football sidelines for 45 years; 35 of which at the high school level. Oran has assumed a leadership role among the men and utilized his experience in the weight room to help guide the daily activities.

“With coaching, I had to be in the weight room and take a health class every year to stay coaching, so I got kind of drafted into that,” Oran said. “Monday, Wednesday and Friday, we do upper body. Tuesday and Thursday are lower-body days. We try to be here every day of the week.”

“Coach has been a big help in training us the right way to do stuff,” said Tom D. “It’s a great facility. I’ve been coming here for 10 years. I just have tons of friends here.”

The group credits one another for providing the motivating factors that keep each crew member coming back every day.

“You cannot underestimate the community and the fraternal support we have of one another,” said Mike S.

Tom D. enjoys exercising at the Community Center to support his physical fitness, along with increased opportunities to socialize with his friends and other pass holders.

Long-time Community Center passholders Jeff M., Larry R., Tim G., Mike S., Oran S., Paul G. and Tom D. (pictured left to right) began working out together to improve their physical fitness, but have since formed a brotherhood that supports their overall well-being.

For more information on Community Center Passes, visit www.westerville.org/passes.