[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E492-E493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

IN HONOR OF THE STRONGSVILLE RECREATION AND SENIOR COMPLEX

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HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

of ohio

in the house of representatives

Thursday, March 26, 1998

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to announce the opening of
the Strongsville Recreation and Senior Center, a state-of-the-art
facility with something for everyone in Strongsville, Ohio.
After nearly a decade of planning and construction, the 157,000
square foot facility opening this month will provide a variety of
health, fitness, leisure, and cultural activities to everyone in the
community. The residents of Strongsville expressed their collective
need for such a complex when they approved a one-half percent increase
in the city income tax in 1993 to fund construction. Now, they no
longer have to leave their community to participate in fitness classes,
or senior programs.
The Complex promises to be a popular place for fitness enthusiasts
who will enjoy the swimming pool, gymnasium, cardio-conditioning area
and strength training center. Young people from the community can
entertain themselves in the game area playing pool, air hockey and
video games. Parents will appreciate the child care services offered.
Seniors will gather for craft classes, socializing, and the wellness
clinic. In short, the health and quality of life for everyone in
Strongsville will improve greatly with the opening of this Complex.
My fellow colleagues, please join me in recognizing dedication of the
residents of Strongsville to building largest Recreation and Senior
Complex in Ohio, and in congratulating Strongsville mayor Walter
Ehrnfelt and the city council for their contributions to improving the
quality of life in their fine city.

Recreation, Senior Complex to Benefit Entire Community

After nearly a decade of planning, discussions and actual
construction, the new Strongsville Recreation and Senior
Complex will open this month, providing the community with a
state-of-the-art facility with 21st Century amenities for
everyone who lives or works full time in the City of
Strongsville.
The unique 157,000-square-foot facility, which is the
largest of its kind in the State of Ohio, is dedicated to
improving the quality of life in Strongsville by providing a
wide variety of leisure and cultural activities, special
events, facilities and services that encourage health,
fitness, relaxation, enjoyment, cultural enrichment and
learning, as well as providing opportunities for community
involvement.
As Mayor Walter F. Ehrnfelt points out, the center is
family-oriented and offers something for everyone.
``This recreation and senior complex is designed to satisfy
the needs of seniors, of young people and of everyone else so
that we can all enjoy a greater quality of life within the
City of Strongsville,'' the mayor said, adding:
``We do not have to leave our home (community) for physical
fitness classes, senior programs, health care services and
even a food program. This facility covers the spectrum for
all generations in Strongsville now and in the future.''
Planning for the center actually started back in 1989 when
a committee of various individuals in the community studied
and identified the recreational needs of the city.
Committee members and city officials worked with numerous
architects and engineering firms with extensive experience in
building recreation centers and sports complexes to determine
what was needed to make a great recreation/senior facility.
The project moved closer to reality in 1993 when the city's
voters approved a one-half percent increase in the city
income tax.
``City Council financed the complex out of the general fund
with money generated from the additional income tax which was
provided by businesses through jobs within the city,'' the
mayor said.
``We now have the finest recreation/senior facility in the
State of Ohio and perhaps in the country for a reasonable
charge.''
Membership packages are available at special rates for city
residents and for anyone who works full time for a business
located in the city.
Mayor Ehmfelt said the city is asking for nominal
membership fees to offset the cost of operating the facility,
which is estimated at $1.8 million per year.
In a letter of invitation to the community, the mayor said,
``The completion of the new Strongsville Recreation and
Senior Complex brings our residents a facility that compares
to no other in the State of Ohio. This facility is another
great step for Strongsville's future and continues in
providing the very best for all citizens.''
``Please take the time to visit and become a member and use
the facility to the maximum to improve and maintain your
health and quality of life. Remember to use the facility. . .
. Just for the `Fun of it.' ''

Recreation Center

Central attraction in the recreation area is the Aquatics
Center which features an eight-lane, 25-yard-long competition
pool with three diving boards and a bleacher seating area for
approximately 500 spectators.
Another highlight of the center is the activity pool with
zero depth entry, a circular water slide and even a pirate's
ship with a water cannon. The aquatics area also has steam
and sauna rooms and an 18-person whirlpool.

[[Page E493]]

The four-lane indoor track circles the upper level of the
recreation area. Thirteen laps are the equivalent of one
mile.
The main gymnasium has two high school regulation
basketball courts and a volleyball area. The auxiliary gym is
a utility gymnasium which can be used as one high school
regulation basketball court, volleyball, indoor soccer, and
tennis.
The cardio conditioning area on the upper level is equipped
with treadmills, stair steppers, bikes, ski machines, rowing
machines, Gravitron and AB trainers.
The strength training center on the complex's lowest level
offers Nautilus ZST resistance training equipment, plate
loading equipment, free weights, and accessories.
A popular spot for teens will be the game area on the main
level which is equipped with billiard tables, air hockey and
foosball machines, video/arcade games and snack, soft drink
and juice/water vending machines.
The Recreation Center also features two wood floor aerobics
and activity studios (1,400-square-foot each), meeting and
conference rooms, a tot room for morning and evening child
care services and two sets of locker rooms for men and women.
The center, which has ten full-time employees and 75 part-
time employees, will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday
through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5
p.m. Sunday.

Senior Center

The spacious Senior Center located at the west end of the
complex is designed to promote the physical, emotional,
social and intellectual well-being of all seniors in the
community.
A major attraction is the Community Room which has a casual
and comfortable atmosphere where people can relax, read a
book, watch TV, visit and hold meetings.
The back porch off the Community Room is equipped with
benches where guests can relax and enjoy the view of the city
park.
The center also has a woodworking room which will be used
for classes and open shop time; a craft room for quilting,
knitting, sewing, needlepoint and other projects; two meeting
rooms for seminars, lectures and club meetings; an art room
for all types of projects, and a wellness clinic which will
be operated in partnership with community health care
providers.
A wide variety of activities will be offered for seniors.
Including arts and crafts, line dancing, card games, bingo,
physical fitness programs and many types of educational and
fun classes.
More information on the senior programs can be obtained by
calling the center at 238-7111.

Cultural Center

The Cultural Center on the complex's main floor is a common
area which will be shared by users of both the recreation and
senior centers. It seats 400 at tables and chairs and has an
area of entertainment.
The center will be open to the public for breakfast from 6
a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday and for discounted
lunches for seniors each weekday at noon.
The dining area and many of the other facilities in the
recreation/senior center will be available for rental by the
public for nominal fees.

Grand Opening

Everyone in Strongsville is invited to come and join the
fun and excitement during the Community Open House Monday,
March 16, through Saturday, March 28, and for the Ribbon
Cutting Ceremonies on Sunday, March 29.
The Strongsville Chamber of Commerce joins with Mayor
Walter F. Ehrnfelt and other city officials in welcoming the
opening of this state-of-the-art facility and encourages
everyone to join the Strongsville Recreation and Senior
Complex . . . Just for the ``Fun of it.''

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