A new YMCA center in Centennial aims to have youth and seniors cross paths and develop opportunities to create future symbiotic programs for the multi-generational communities.
The 6,345-square-foot center, Centennial YMCA Center of Generations will have a soft opening in May with plans to be fully operational by the summer, according to officials. The center will operate in Streets at SouthGlenn mall, 6851 S. Vine St., a short walk from the SouthGlenn Library.
“The YMCA specializes in providing a safe place for multi-generations who want to meet up
with friends, or make new friends, and engage in activities that are interesting and fun,” said
Kimberly Armitage, YMCA Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth and Mission of
Metropolitan Denver.
The new center, part of the YMCA of Metro Denver, will operate familiar programs like SilverSneakers, a wellness program for older adults and an array of other programs such as cooking classes, esports and Youth in Government.
Armitage said the vision for the center grew, in part, based on conversations with Centennial Mayor Stephanie Piko.
“The City is excited to partner with the YMCA to develop senior and youth programming for
Centennial residents,” Piko said in a news release. “Centennial’s Senior and Youth Commissions have shared the desire and need for a place for both age groups to gather and enjoy various programs, and the YMCA has the capacity and experience to make this happen. The City looks forward to continuing to work with these Commissions along with the Y as additional opportunities for community involvement become available.”
The center at the mall will include several rooms, including a space for senior yoga, Silver Sneakers and other classes and activities. It will also have a board game room and a gaming lounge for esports and video gaming.
Evie Hall, 16, a junior at Grandview High School, is a vice chair with the Centennial Youth Commission. Hall, through the commission, became involved with planning of the space at the new center.
By design, “phone use will be dissuaded in the board game room,” Hall said, as a way to have youth be interactive in a unique setting and partake in chess, checkers, cards and games like Monopoly and Scrabble. The gaming lounge, where computers and video games will be available, is just steps away from the board game room.
Participants in the gaming room will be able to “create videos, create content, and develop creative juices,” Hall said.
Esports, competitive video gaming popular with middle and high school students, was sanctioned in 2022 by the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA). The new center will engage 11- to 18-year-olds to develop games skills. The new center’s esports offering will be a pilot program for the YMCA of Metro Denver.
Anne Mckinley, 90, joined the Silver Sneakers program at the Littleton YMCA about four years ago. Mckinley also uses the Y’s Livestrong program as part of her recovery from breast cancer and she takes a balance class to help keep her active and moving.
“I’m wanting to make myself as independent as I can be me,” Mckinley said. “Having gone to the Y all this time has made that possible.”
The new location in Centennial is seeking new members of all ages and officials are looking forward to engaging youth and seniors at the facility.
“Our goal is to create an intergenerational space,” said Marlana Krulish, a teen engagement manager with the YMCA. “We will connect bridges to them.”
On the youth side, multiple programs will be offered, including the popular Youth in Government program. Teenagers interested in law, journalism or government can join the three-month program and take on the roles of politicians, lobbyists, attorneys and journalists.
The Center of Generations will be open to the public, and initial offerings will begin in early June, with plans to be fully operational in the summer.
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