By Rita L. Sherwood
The aging outlook has officially been redefined! Roughly 74 million U.S. baby boomers have focused on what it takes to stay mentally and physically fit, and senior centers have followed suit to accommodate their many interests. No longer are senior centers only a place to play bingo and get your blood pressure checked, and the Niceville Senior Center is no exception.
The Niceville Senior Center strives to empower and enhance the lives of adults 55 and over through programs and caring services that promote wellness, social connection, support, nutrition, education, independence, activities, volunteerism and fun.
55 and older adults here are taking a Facebook class, working out in the fitness room, taking ping pong lessons, line dancing, gardening, doing yoga, knitting, taking Zumba classes and more. Craving a milkshake? Members can show up on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. for a delicious milkshake in the 50s style kitchen served by volunteers. Or how about taking a class on chair yoga, party bridge or on natural healing with essential oils? The possibilities are truly endless.
Celebrating its first anniversary this month, the center provides 100-150 active seniors daily with the opportunity to make friends as well as participate in activities that contribute to their overall health and well-being. And to coincide with the anniversary, a new outdoor recreation area has also been built complete with pickle ball courts, and a soon-to-be putting green, exercise area and even covered gazebos.
In addition, there’s a large social area, multi-purpose rooms, and a spacious game room that includes a pool table, table tennis and a space for dance classes. A state-of-the-art outside grilling area is located in the front of the center and a courtyard in front of the building has room for plenty of outside seating, a small stage for performances or meetings and a beautiful fountain.
There’s a lot of life to be lived after age 55, and the Niceville Senior Center does a good job of empowering older adults, while promoting their mental, physical and emotional health, keeping them active, and engaging them with their community.
The center is located at 201 Campbell drive, Niceville, right across from the Niceville Recreation Center.
After only a year, there are already roughly 1,500 registered members! Operating hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and membership is free for the residents of Niceville. For those who live outside the city limits, individual memberships run $80 for the year, or $100 for a household membership. Temporary monthly memberships and lifetime memberships are also available. Please visit their Facebook page or call (850) 279-6436, ext. 1600 for more information.
