Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - Opportunities abound at the Syracuse Community Center, and by numbers alone, people are taking every advantage of them.
The community center opened in June 2002 and had 9,657 visitors in 2002. This year - so far - the community center has had 28,545 visitors.
"I am very excited about the great use of this facility," said Mike Hixenbaugh, Syracuse Parks and Recreation superintendent. "And I look forward to the future as we continue to expand and add programs for this community."
He said he encourages anyone with ideas - clubs, organizations, agencies - who wants to bring more program options to the community center to give the parks department a call.
Hixenbaugh discussed the various programs available at the community center.
The gym floor now has lines for volleyball and basketball. Hixenbaugh said the center is gearing up for adult leagues for volleyball and basketball after the first of the year. Open gym is available now. The lines were put down during the last few weeks.
New fitness equipment has been provided by the K21 Foundation. That includes an elliptical machine, treadmill and recumbent bike.
The computer lab now has Internet access.
Friday is a middle school dance. Cost is $3. Other middle school dances are Nov. 14 and Dec. 12.
Hunter safety classes are Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Instructor is Michael Houze and there is no fee.
Halloween with the Lakeland Youth Center is Oct. 24 from 6 to 9 p.m. No cost.
Ballroom dance is 8 to 11 p.m. Oct. 25 with Tedd Waggoner. Cost is $10. Other ballroom dances are Nov. 15 with Music Matters, Dec. 6 with Justus III, and Dec. 20 with Music Express.
Lifeline screening is Nov. 18. Get screened for stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysm and peripheral arterial disease. Cost for each screening is $45. Cost for the osteoporosis screening is $35. Get all four screenings for $125. Preregistration is required by calling 800-407-4557.
"Videocise" classes meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Classes are styled for adults and mature adults. No fee. A tougher workout is scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays, same time.
Tumbling for 6- to 18-year-olds is scheduled for Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m. Cost is $40 for six weeks.
Want to learn to decorate a cake? Classes with Cindy begin Nov. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. Cost is $25 per person plus supplies.
Mothers can bring their children 2 to 5 years old every Tuesday and Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. for some "energy elimination." Let them run wild while Mom has a cup of coffee. The fun begins Nov. 3.
One of the most popular activities at the community center is bingo. The center and Turkey Creek seniors present Bingo Tuesdays from 9 to 10 a.m.
Doors for walkers open at 8 a.m. Walking takes place all day.
While Hixenbaugh said a majority of the community center was dedicated to folks age 60 and over, "we also have youth programs we recently started."
One of those programs is Homework Buddies. Kids are paired up with a tutor to be mentored with their homework.
Another program is the Service Learning Program. With Syracuse Elementary School, the community center is teaching students "the value of service to the community and giving back." At the end of the service program, the students will participate in a project. The program lasts eight weeks and then another group of kids will participate in the program. Part of the program includes members of area service organizations speaking to the kids about giving back.
Character traits of a leader the kids will learn include integrity, caring, common sense, initiative, effort, perseverance, organization, flexibility, problem-solving, responsibility, cooperation, sense of humor, patience, friendship, curiosity, courage and pride.
"These are real exciting programs. There's no cost for either program," said Hixenbaugh.
Hours of the community center are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The center is closed Sundays.
For more information about any program or the community center itself, call 457-3440.
