By Richard E. Reed
For the Beacon
For new residents or old-timers, The Willamalane Adult Activity Center is the place to begin our exploration of the many “quality of life” treasures in and around our Springfield community. Nestled in the heart of downtown, surrounded by beautiful Island Park and easy parking, this Center has become a mecca of recreation, learning, arts classes and fitness activities always available to friend-finding, fun-seeking and life-loving people in their early 50s to spry 90 year-olds and beyond.
Diane Pergamit, the program manager of this spacious and beautifully designed facility, relates the Center’s success to a creative mix of programs that appeal to people of all ages. “Anyone can pick up our program guide and find something that appeals to their needs; lectures, trips, walking or dancing or discussion groups, literally dozens of social and life-long learning activities right here, right now.”
Entering the welcoming double doors of the Center will give even the most sophisticated big city visitor a feeling of “wow!” Smiling staff and volunteers, a charming coffee shop, big over-stuffed chairs in a comfortable setting look out at the park’s green expanse and the rippling waters of the Willamette River. As we stand in the light-filled entrance, we can hear the soft buzz of conversations and laughter from the billiard parlor, the large dance and activities hall, the ceramics studio, book discussion room, computer learning class, woodworking and lapidary shops. The Center’s participants were all too eager to relate their own varied experiences at this amazing facility.
“I’ve always wanted to learn line dancing,” says Rebecca Hazen, 67 years old and recently retired. “But I never had the time. Our teacher, Iris, goes over the dance steps slowly and carefully. In my class there are over thirty of us, mostly women in their 50s to late 80s, along with some brave men, and we have a ball! We dance to everything from “Little Light of Mine” to country western tunes and Elvis-type rock ‘n roll.”
“I have to exercise every day because of diabetes,” she continues, “and this is the best exercise ever. And with the bike paths right outside the Center, I can bike and walk, too. I tell you, this is the coolest, most wonderful adult center there is.”
Virginia Matteson, 71 years young, is staying that way because of the Center’s Tai Chi and Quqong exercise classes. “I’ve been going to these classes for two years now, and it gives me more strength and better balance. Our teacher makes sure every one participates and has a good time. It helps me to really relax and feel better, and it keeps my body and mind busy.”
Virginia volunteers in the Center’s gift shop; she’s also learning to play billiards and spends time in the ceramics studio. She also walks along the river with her group every week.
Dick Jones, 76, who teaches wood carving at the Center, asked a friend to teach a Thai cooking class at the Center so he could participate. “Now I’m on the Center’s advisory committee and I’m really hooked on all of the vitality and creativity of this place. Why, there are over 400 volunteers at our Center. I just read a study that says people who volunteer live four years longer. I believe it!
Mary Rice, in her 60s, also volunteers, enjoys the craft classes and participates in the day and overnight trips the Center offers. “My mother was a member when the Center started, and now that I’m retired, I can do it, too. I love the pottery and jewelry-making classes. But best of all, I love those trips! I don’t like to drive, and thanks to the Center I have been to the Roseburg History Museum, the Portland Museum of Art and the Carousel Museum in Hood River; I was even on a paddlewheel boat on the Columbia River.”
“There’s something for everyone here,” Mary exclaims. “It gives me a chance to make new friends. It gives me a chance to stay in touch with life!”
Most communities, as well as our own Springfield, are experiencing “The Silver Tsunami”, or the surge of aging America. The number of people 65 and older in 1940 was nine million, in 2000 it was thirty five million, and in 2030 it is projected to be over seventy one million seniors.
Our local divisions of government as well as the Willamalane Adult Activity Center are meeting the challenge and opportunities of this surge in the number of older adults. “We’ve doubled our fitness offerings during the last eight years,” says Diane Pergamit. “We’ve acquired a bigger bus for our day trips and overnight outings. We’re offering daily lunch, van transportation, legal assistance, support groups. We serve 350 or more people on an average day with 15 to 25 different programs each day.”
As I watch the dozens of adults of all ages talking, laughing, playing table tennis or reading in a quiet corner, I realize there are few places I would rather be than this extraordinary community center in any kind of Oregon weather. Thousands of Springfield residents have been coming here for the last twenty years for that very reason. With the continued dedication and imagination of the Willamalane staff and its broad community support, our growing-up children and grandchildren will be coming here too.
Try it. You’ll like it. From 8:30 in the morning ‘till after 8:30 at night, except Sundays. At 215 West “C” Street, Springfield, OR 97477. Telephone: 736-4444. E-mail: netmail@willamalane.org.
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