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HEALTH & WELLNESS: Reopening of the John D. Spreckels Center
Reopened, Refreshed and Rejuvinated!
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By Kelly Purvis Photos Courtesy of the John D. Spreckels Center
Coronado has a competitive Lawn Bowling Club and offers a variety of activities and instructional opportunities.
Since the official opening on April 12, 2017, the John D. Spreckels Center and Bowling Green have brought Coronado’s 50+ community together. The center has offered a robust variety of programs and services, including health, fitness, education and arts as well as volunteer and civic engagement opportunities. The center was sorely missed during the past year’s closure, but we are thrilled to announce the facility is working towards reopening with new activities that will build a stronger sense of community and wellness.
And a special note to those of you who have frequented the center over the years: Don’t fret! We’ll also be continuing the events, activities and programs that are dearly loved among our long-term patrons.
Are you looking for safe, fun and interesting events where you can engage with your peers and make new friends? This is the place!
During the COVID-19 shutdown, recreation and library staff collaborated on several virtual projects. Programming included fitness, free virtual lectures and classes available on the CoronadoTV and CoronadoARTS YouTube Channels. A weekly Spreckels Center newsletter was created to keep everyone engaged — sign up for it can be found on the City’s website.
As part of our grand reopening, the John D. Spreckels Center will be teaming up with the Coronado Public Library and the Cultural Arts Commission to offer quality classes, activities and special events that reach a broader audience. It’s time to open with a leap and we are doing just that with a variety of fitness classes, exciting excursions, stimulating expert lectures, musical performances and more. The list of events will grow as we listen to our community’s needs and requests!
Also of note, the facility houses the city-owned Spreckels Gallery featuring the artwork of local seniors. The inaugural exhibition in the gallery featured the work of the Coronado Art Association members and celebrated the 70th Anniversary of this local organization which hosts Art in the Park. The Cultural Arts Commission is planning exhibitions to resume once the center reopens to the public.
In addition, the City of Coronado is welcoming Mrs. Dana Welch to their talented team of recreation professionals to lead the City’s John D. Spreckels Center and Bowling Green as the facility supervisor.
Welch comes from the City of Davis where she created new programs for seniors including an Oscar and International
The John D. Spreckels Center offers a variety of art classes including watercolor. It is never too late to learn to paint.
Always fun to celebrate with your Valentine. Dana Welch is joining the talented team of recreation professionals to lead as the facility supervisor.
Party, watercolor classes, ukulele lessons, a pre-owned jewelry sale, special wine dinners and a Health & Fitness Day to name a few. In addition to her recreation programming, she also has experience managing facility rentals, special events, business and university commencement receptions, faculty conferences and local business visibility events.
Welch has a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreation Administration and enjoys all outdoor activities including hiking, biking, kayaking and skiing. Among her many accomplishments are summiting Yosemite’s Half Dome Rock twice and completing the San Diego Marathon. She is a fourth generation Californian with roots in the Sacramento area.
Welch’s talents and experience will come in handy as the Spreckels Center reemerges from the pandemic. With the facility closed, the City’s Recreation and Golf Services Director Roger Miller, Cultural Arts Representative Kelly Purvis and Library Director Shaun Briley have been busy collaborating on numerous programs and event ideas for the Center including establishing a new Spreckels Center Choir, various art programs, morning coffee and gettogether socials, as well as various field trips that span from museums to musicals to botanical gardens. These new programs and events will be additions to the Center’s prepandemic palette of offerings.
Along with all the fun and exciting programs, the City is also planning to further expand the Center’s volunteer services for the 50 and better community. “Dana has extensive experience developing robust volunteer programs,” stated Miller.
“The City desires as part of its overall delivery of service, to address loneliness, welfare checks, and services which are central to a better quality of life. Many of these services are best delivered by volunteers, as this approach keeps everyone engaged and involved and ultimately builds community.”
Staff will also be embarking on certifying the Spreckels Center through the National Institute of Senior Centers. “The certification process is very intensive and will involve gathering information from numerous community groups actively participating in the process,” stated Miller. “Dana is very well qualified to take on the numerous opportunities ahead of her.”
A growing number of senior centers are earning national accreditation and the John D. Spreckels Center will initiate the process with Dana’s arrival. The NISC — National Institute of Senior Centers — works to advance the quality of senior centers nationwide and offers the nation’s only National Senior Center Accreditation Program.
Accreditation provides official
(Above Left): Another wonderful venue at the Spreckels Center is the West Patio which includes a fireplace and an upfront view of the bowling lawn. (Above Right): The JDSC lounge offers 50+ citizens an opportunity to gather and socialize. Play pool, watch television or read the morning paper or new magazines in this beautiful venue. (Below): The John D. Spreckels Center is Coronado’s newest facility dedicated for the 50+ residents in the community. The public art sculpture “Transitions” by Jon Koehler graces the front lawn of the facility.
Exterior photo of historical home built by QualCraft Construction.
recognition that a senior center meets nine standards of senior center operations. More than 200 senior centers have been accredited, and many more are in the process.
To find out more about our facility for the 50+ crowd, please visit our website where you will find a current list of upcoming classes and learn how to register. Take the first step to connect with our staff and your fellow peers, and sign up for the Spreckels Center newsletter.
The John D. Spreckels Center is reopened, refreshed, rejuvenated and is ready to bring our 50+ community together like never before. We look forward to seeing you!
To find out more visit the website www.coronado.ca.us/spreckels or call (619) 522-7343.
• Kelly Purvis lives in Coronado and serves as the Senior Management Analyst in the City Manager’s Office, focusing on Arts and Culture and supporting the Coronado Cultural Arts Commission.
