Ken and Chris Harry had been thinking about making their first visit to the new Center for Older Adults for weeks, but when they finally made it to the Center on Tuesday, it turned out to be their lucky day.

Chris Harry became the 1,000th new member of the Activity Center located at 800 Cheshire Rd in Delaware since the Activity Center opened in December 2007. She was greeted with cheers from center staff and given a free membership to the Activity Center and gift certificates to the Center’s Café, by Charlene Browning, director of the Activity Center.

“We are growing much faster than anticipated and every day the parking lot gets a little more crowded,” said Browning. Total Activity Center membership now numbers over 1,700.  With warmer weather and the opening of the exercise pool in May, Charlene sees even more growth in the future. ”We are just getting started and we are adding new programming and opportunities on a regular basis,” she added.

The Senior Citizens Inc. of Delaware County staff has developed many new and interesting programs with lots of room for more members. The new Activity Center features a large Fitness Center with state-of-the-art exercise equipment, an Arts and Crafts room, a Dance and Aerobics room, a Library and Computer room, other classrooms, a Banquet Room and lots of flexible areas for programming. There is a noon meal served each day in the Center’s dining room plus Jj’s Café, a dining alternative which is open throughout the day.

For those considering joining the Activity Center, tours are available throughout the day. Members must be Delaware County residents age 55 and above. The annual membership fee is $20 with additional fees for the Fitness Center, Exercise Pool and some classes.

Currently the Activity Center is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Plans are underway to expand the Center’s hours beginning in June, including being open on Saturdays.

The Activity Center is managed by Senior Citizens Inc. of Delaware County, a partner of the Council for Older Adults which is also located at the Center for Older Adults. For more information about the Activity Center call (740) 369-5133. Browning and her staff welcome all inquiries and encourage those who have not yet been to the Center to come out for a tour. “We think that you will like what you see, and who knows, we might plan an even bigger celebration for our 2,000th new member,” she said.