Diane Bowers exercises in the new physical fitness building at the Rufty-Holmes Senior Center. photo by Wayne Hinshaw, Salisbury Post

Susan Musselman, on the right, leads the exercise class in the new physical fitness building at the Rufty-Holmes Senior Center. photo by Wayne Hinshaw, Salisbury Post

Seniors stretch in an exercise class in the new physical fitness building at the Rufty-Holmes Senior Center. photo by Wayne Hinshaw, Salisbury Post

Heating is provided by warm water being pumped under the floor in the new physical fitness building at the Rufty-Holmes Senior Center. photo by Wayne Hinshaw, Salisbury Post

Director Rick Eldridge walks in the new hallway to the physical fitness building at the Rufty-Holmes Senior Center. photo by Wayne Hinshaw, Salisbury Post

The Rufty-Holmes Senior Center game room was enlarged by taking a wall out, making room for two pool tables. photo by Wayne Hinshaw, Salisbury Post

The new physical fitness building at the Rufty-Holmes Senior Center is on the right. photo by Wayne Hinshaw, Salisbury Post

By Brent Johnson

news@salisburypost.com

The hallway bubbles with life. Growing plants, lively fish and the sound of running water fill the new corridor.

Just a bit further is the largest addition for the 20th anniversary of the Rufty-Holmes Senior Center off Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue — the Archibald C. Rufty Fitness Annex.

The 4,000-square-foot addition allows for larger classes to gather and participate in staying physically fit.

"The environment was not as good as it should have been," says Rick Eldridge, executive director of the center.

"With our growth we've experienced over the past two years, we were doing classes in multipurpose settings," Eldridge says.

The Fitness Annex not only provides the supportive environment and spatial setting for senior citizens to engage in physical activity, but the room was constructed to suit the older adult body.

The sport floor installed was built to be easier on ankles, knees and other joints. Pipes running under the floor circulate hot water, enabling pounding feet to experience a softer, more cushioned landing. Air conditioning balances the air quality.

Treadmills, weight machines, stationary bikes and other aerobic activities can be practiced with plenty of room to spare. Technologically advanced, curious or brave adults can also work out and watch a program on a flat-screen television or engage in "Wii-hab," a virtual experience that allows adults to work up a sweat while playing video games on the Nintendo Wii system. Bathrooms and showers are located in the annex, as well.

Now, there are more than 650 participants in fitness classes and 28 clubs and organizations that meet throughout the senior center.

The annex "is safer, better and allows more capacity," Eldridge says. "We designed it with these goals in mind."

Other expansions and improvements at the center include a new accessible back entrance with additional space in the back parking lot, a larger area at the front desk, new carpet and a paint job throughout the center, an expanded game room, and refining of the picnic shelter and outdoor facilities. Strategically placed security monitors around the premises and other odds and ends improve the senior center's previous surroundings, or in Eldridge's words, "things that were nice to do if we have the funds to do it."

The United Way agency also saw to it that a new sidewalk was paved, connecting the center to the walking trail across the street at City Park.

"We've incorporated it into some of our classes with warm-ups and cool downs," Eldridge says.

The 20th anniversary investment was the largest sum the center has seen —approximately $850,000. The entire center was built from the ground up for $100,000 less.

A five-year, long-range plan was produced by the board of directors to "enhance the center's role as a focal point for aging resources in Rowan County, expand opportunities for local older adults to be involved with health and wellness programs, provide expanded opportunities for lifelong learning, increase older adult participation in civic and community life, and guide the development of a more senior friendly community."

Beaver Brothers Heating & Air and J.J.'s Construction Co. provided infrastructure renovation, along with aid from business partners and donors.

Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday until 5 p.m. Weekends hold special events. The center is subject to closing earlier if no events are posted.

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