City Manager at the City of Upper Arlington, Steve Schoeny, shares his excitement about the Upper Arlington Community Center and the possibilities it could bring to the community.

Upper Arlington, Ohio is working on building a new community center that is set to become a hub for health and wellness for all age groups. The center is being developed on the site of a retail mall and will be divided into three parts.

The Upper Arlington Community Center is a community-led project.

The goal of the center is to create an intergenerational community facility that brings people together and provides opportunities for healthy living. The center will have traditional rec center fitness facilities, such as a fitness floor and group fitness classrooms, as well as three gymnasiums, and it will move the Senior Center functions to the new building.

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is also in talks to provide services in the building, including the cancer survivorship center, integrative medicine, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. The design of the center was informed by extensive community input, including surveys, focus groups, outreach to older adults who do not currently use the Senior Center, and an 18-month feasibility task force process.

The Community Center design is open to all.

The Upper Arlington Community Center will have activity rooms designed in a ballroom style on the top floor. Plus a balcony offering views of the south part of Arlington and downtown Columbus. The space will be suitable for community functions, private personal functions, corporate events, and weddings. The location of the center was chosen to be easily accessible by bike and on foot. There will be minimal barriers for children and older adults.

The new community center in Upper Arlington, Ohio will focus on serving older adults. This will include a concentration of services for them on the second floor, with an older adult lounge, classrooms, and an art classroom. The fourth floor will have a ballroom and a walking track above two gymnasiums. And the first floor will have a pool and main fitness area, as well as a cafe and playground for non-members.

The new community center will provide opportunities for intergenerational programming. And the facilities will meet the needs of older adults as they age. The center will have a financial assistance fund to help residents who cannot afford to participate in programs. This was implemented before the community center was built. A one-dollar transaction fee is added to every registration for recreation programs.

The Center will be run by the city’s Parks and Recreation team.

There will be a charge for membership fee to cover operating costs. The center will also offer a resident rate for those who live or work in Upper Arlington. The community hopes that the new community center will not only promote health and wellness but also help attract and retain residents and businesses in the area by providing a range of amenities and services.

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Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle270Media Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2023 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson