OKLAHOMA CITY (Free Press) — Floor was damaged to start the development of the latest Senior Well being and Wellness Middle in Oklahoma Metropolis, this time on the east facet.
On the development web site at N.E. thirty sixth and Lincoln Tuesday, a senior line dance group from the Lincoln Park Senior Middle bracketed the occasion with a clean stream of dancing exhibiting expertise in holding lively.
However, together with a bunch of different Ward 7 dignitaries, it confirmed a strong base of help for the middle even earlier than it’s constructed.
“I wish to personally commend our seniors as a result of what you see round you wouldn’t have taken place had it not been for our seniors advocating on their very own behalf of the place they wished their senior middle to be positioned,” stated Ward 7 Oklahoma Metropolis Council member Nikki Good.
The most recent of the MAPS 3 Senior Well being and Wellness Facilities might be on the identical campus as the brand new Homeland Grocery already taking form on the identical web site. The 2 amenities will share the identical car parking zone.
Every of the facilities has a company that’s the operator. This one on the east facet might be operated by the YMCA and Langston College.
Langston is Oklahoma’s enduring traditionally Black school with its predominant campus simply east of Stillwater however with a thriving satellite tv for pc facility on the campus of Millwood Public Faculties close to I-44 and Martin Luther King in northeast Oklahoma Metropolis.
The dedication to working the power with the YMCA represents a deeper funding within the metro by Langston.
“Clearly, this might be a really distinctive facility and it’ll meet the wants of the group,” stated Oklahoma Metropolis Mayor David Holt.
He identified that this specific undertaking can be distinctive in that it might be part of a bigger campus with the brand new Homeland grocery supposed to handle the meals wants of individuals in the identical space.
(See the gallery on the finish for extra photos of the day.)
Strong base of help
There have been robust indicators that the middle might be opening with a strong base of help.
Good instructed about contact she had early in her time as a Metropolis Council member.
“As quickly as I used to be elected in November of 18, I bought a telephone name from some seniors,” stated Good to laughs from the gang. “They usually stated, Nikki, we wish to speak to you. And I stated, Okay, and so they instantly stated, we wish to be those who choose the place our senior middle’s going to be positioned. So with that, we instantly went to work.”
Good stated that group labored on what they thought can be the perfect websites and loaded up on busses to go see the opposite two websites already in operation so they may get some higher concepts about what they wished to see.
“So, with that, we all the time knew our senior facilities would achieve success,” stated Good. “And nothing ready us for what our group has already skilled with the primary and the second Wellness Middle with memberships are passing expectations.”
Good stated that the 44,810 sq. foot wellness middle would “be the catalyst for this neighborhood.”
“It’s no secret that individuals’s bodily and psychological well being improves with train and group help and our objective isn’t solely to construct a constructing, but additionally nurture a help system of associates,” Good added.
Langston connection
With Langston College taking up being one of many operators with the YMCA the connection to the metro turns into even stronger.
Langston’s President, Dr Kevin Smith, expressed his pleasure concerning the potentialities of their involvement with the middle due to the hands-on placement they might get to have with the seniors there and the advantages the seniors would have from the contact.
“We now have the primary college of bodily remedy within the state of Oklahoma,” stated Smith. “We now have one of many prime nursing applications within the State of Oklahoma, and now we have one of many prime recreation, well being and wellness applications within the State of Oklahoma.”
Smith instructed about former Ward 7 Councilman John Pettis’ effort to get Langston related to the deliberate senior middle. He gave Pettis credit score for serving to persuade Langston to make the dedication.
“So, what higher manner than to place northeast Oklahoma Metropolis – which has given a lot traditionally to Langston College than to provide again to the group by supporting a senior wellness middle and giving on to our seniors.”
YMCA
Kelly Kay, President & CEO of the YMCA of Better Oklahoma Metropolis praised Langston workers and Metropolis of Oklahoma Metropolis Mayor David Holt in addition to Counselor Good for pulling collectively the undertaking.
He instructed concerning the influence of the partnerships which have made the Lincoln Park Senior Middle such a profitable collaboration since 1983.
The constructing belongs to OKC Parks and Rec and several other native companies have been introduced in to help seniors with many points of their lives together with vitamin by offering meals.
“Two of our predominant focuses on the Y are wholesome dwelling and social duty,” stated Kay. “This new middle will be part of these two influence areas in a singular and thrilling manner. And naturally, our members couldn’t be extra excited than what you’ve heard at the moment. It’s thrilling to see our members proceed to serve and our Y proceed to serve our group in these methods and our members to be a part of one thing greater than themselves.”
Kay added, “This new facility will enable us to serve northeast Oklahoma Metropolis Group like by no means earlier than. And that’s what the Y does higher than something.”
One in all 5
When full, the middle would be the third of the MAPS 3 Senior Well being and Wellness Facilities designed to advertise well being for seniors throughout Oklahoma Metropolis.
One is on the northwest facet at 11501 N Rockwell Avenue operated by Wholesome Residing and Health, and the opposite is the Pete White Well being and Wellness Middle at 4021 S Walker Avenue close to the Capitol Hill space.
The fourth is being designed now and might be positioned on Western Avenue south of SW 134th Road, operated by the YMCA. MAPS 4 consists of the longer term fifth Senior Well being and Wellness Middle, plus a scholarship fund for low-income seniors utilizing the senior facilities.
MAPS 3
Tom McDaniel has been the chair of the MAPS 3 Residents Advisory Board for a few years and has been instrumental in shepherding tasks to completion by selling collaboration throughout many strains within the lifetime of the town.
MAPS 3 is a $777 million, voter-approved capital enchancment program to enhance the standard of life in Oklahoma Metropolis. It’s funded by a brief 1-cent gross sales tax that started in April 2010 and led to December 2017. MAPS 3 funds eight tasks: Downtown Conference Middle, Downtown Public Park, Fashionable Streetcar/Transit, Oklahoma River Enhancements, Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Enhancements, Senior Well being and Wellness Facilities, Trails and Sidewalks.
Gallery
(Click on on any picture for increased high quality photos.)
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Final Up to date Might 5, 2023, 11:20 PM by Brett Dickerson – Editor
The publish Eastside Senior Well being and Wellness Middle will open with robust help appeared first on Oklahoma Metropolis Free Press.
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