Senior Center Raising Money For Springdale Fitness Building

SPRINGDALE — Those trying to stay in shape at the Springdale Senior Center could soon have a separate physical activity building.

The next improvement project for the center, said Lori Proud, director, is a 24-hour fitness building. The center is raising money though donations to build it north of the center, she said.

The center holds fitness classes in the John Powell building, east of the main center, at 203 Park St. The classes, along with other activities have outgrown the space, Proud said.

“We are squished for space,” Proud said. “We have 40 to 50 people in some classes.”

Other activities in the John Powell Building include karaoke and meetings of the deaf club, Proud said.

The center holds zumba, yoga, SilverSneaker and cardio classes for seniors, Proud said. The

At A Glance

Springdale Senior Center

The center is at 203 Park St. It's open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. It's open to those 60 or older or with a spouse 60 or older. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day the center is opened. Those eating are asked to donate to offset the cost.

Source: Springdale Senior Center

classes cost $30 per year with seniors participating in as many classes as they wish.

Linda Williams said she participates in most of the classes.

“I’ll go over to the Springdale Youth Center to use the indoor track,” Williams said. “I’d rather do it here where there are more people my age and my speed.”

The fitness building would have an indoor track as well as room for classes and the fitness machines.

“It would be for anyone 55 and older,” Proud said. “We would have key cards for people to get in after hours.”

The minimum age for other activities at the center is 60 or a spouse who is at least 60.

The Fayetteville Senior Center, 945 S. College Ave., has similar physical activity opportunities to Springdale, according to its Facebook page. The center has a fitness room with ellipticals, treadmills, weights and cardio bikes. The center also offers fitness classes.

Some Springdale residents go to the Rogers Adult Wellness Center, Proud said. The Rogers facility includes cardiovascular and strength-training equipment, an indoor track and a gymnasium along with a therapy pool and an activity pool.

“We love to see people adding years to their life by staying active,” said Lesli Ossenfort, wellness center director.

In August, the cost of membership to the Rogers center increased from $25 per year to $50 for Rogers residents and $60 for all others, Ossenfort said. The increase was the first in seven years, she said.

The Rogers pool is a big draw, Proud said.

“I would love to have a pool here, but I think that is too expensive,” Proud said.

The Jones Center offers water aerobics and zumba classes at its pool, but the classes aren't limited to seniors.

The center has raised about $100,000, Proud said, with another $125,000 needed. Those contributing include the Walmart Foundation, the Schmieding Center and the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, she said.

“We’ll continue to chip away at it until we raise the money,” Proud said.

Improvement to the parking lot of the Springdale Senior Center have been completed, Proud said. The city bought a house next to the center for $87,000 and contributed up to $230,000 toward paving and improving drainage. The center raised $50,000 to meet the parking lot cost, including removing the house.

“The new lot has helped with the number of people who come each day,” Proud said. “Before, they would drive through the lot and leave if they didn’t find a spot.”

The drainage improvement eliminated spots where water would collect, Proud said.

“In places, it was ankle-deep,” Proud said.

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