SALEM Membership rolls soaring at new community center

Establishment of a homework clinic is being eyed to broaden the facility's programming.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- Salem Community Center Director Eric Green needs only to check his membership roster to determine how well the recently opened facility is faring.
Since the $9.5 million center launched operations a month ago, its membership has skyrocketed from 1,200 people to 2,600 people, Green said.
"That's been better than anticipated," he said of the surge in sign-ups.
He attributed it to a lot of people's forgoing the pre-opening membership drive and waiting to see the finished center before deciding to join.
Green noted that the center is still a long way from realizing its ultimate goal of 4,000 members, but he said he's confident it will be achieved.
"We're continuing to grow," he said.
Memberships cost between $22 and $27 monthly.
The first few weeks of being operational have proceeded well, with few glitches, Green said.
Some trouble was experienced in adjusting the swimming pool temperature and getting the right mix of chemicals used to treat the water. But those problems have been worked out.
Here's the problem
Center officials are busy trying to address a concern expressed by some members regarding what to do with certain age groups of youngsters who accompany their parents to the center. It seems the center's organizers forgot about a couple of years of childhood.
Children from infants through age 8 may stay at the center's child-care facility while their parents are working out. Youngsters 12 and older may accompany an adult into the fitness areas. Children must be at least 15 to use the facilities without an adult.
But that leaves youngsters 9 to 11 with nowhere to go at the center while their parents are occupied, Green said.
The center is trying to devise supervised activities for that age group.
Options being considered include instructional classes in sports such as basketball and volleyball.
Another option being mulled would use one of the center's rooms as a site for a supervised homework clinic.
"That would be received positively," Green said.
Besides a pool and fitness room, the facility features a gymnasium, indoor track, activity room, and space for conferences and banquets.
The nonprofit facility is set up to pay for its own operation through membership fees and through renting out parts of the building for wedding receptions and conferences.
The 50,000-square-foot center, off North Ellsworth Avenue near 12th street, was built with a grant from the Salem Community Foundation.
The foundation is private, nonprofit agency dedicated to aiding the Salem area.