Put down that crossword puzzle and take the coffee to go, because fun activities and social events are just down the road at the Renaissance Senior Center for everyone aged 55 and older.

Located just south of Curry Ford Road on Econlockhatchee Trail, Renaissance Senior Center is a mecca of fitness, social and educational activities created to help enrich the active senior community of East Orlando.

“It’s great to be able to provide quality recreation programs in a quality environment with a great staff,” says Sheryl Fleming, site supervisor at Renaissance. “We enjoy keeping seniors active and social by having various programs they can volunteer for.”

With over 7,000 people walking through its doors every month, the center offers everything from ballroom and Latin dance classes, to AARP Defensive Driving courses, in both English and Spanish.  Other activities include a once-a-month Karaoke night, and “Movie of the Week” shown every Wednesday night.

Every Tuesday, creative minds come together to form a scrapbooking club called “Scrappy Seniors.”  Shortly after, members may partake in the weekly photography class.

For fitness lovers, the center has a fitness room with 12 single station weight training machines, six tread mills, four recumbent bikes, two virtual reality bikes, four elliptical machines, a rock climbing wall and a stretching machine.

“All of the cardio machines have their own 13″ TV with a control panel so you can watch what you want without bothering anyone else,” says Fleming.   “You can also hook up your iPod to the cardio equipment.  All you have to do is bring your headphones.”

Keeping up with the technology of today, Renaissance also holds classes featuring Wii Sports and Wii Fit.  Other group exercise activities like “Walking with Friends,” are held every morning, Monday through Thursday, in the 4,500-square-foot ballroom.

Classrooms and activity rooms feature billiards to arcade games.  The center is also proud to offer computer education courses that are specifically designed for seniors.

Outside of the main building, visitors will find a Bocce ball court.  Members can also practice their golf game on the practice tees green, pleasantly bordering a nature preserve.

Although Renaissance welcomes anyone over the age of 18, most of the center’s activities are geared toward those ages 55 and above.

For children and parents who are looking for more youth-related activities, Renaissance’s sister center, The Orlando Magic Recreation Center, is conveniently located right next door and offers a 12,000 square foot gym with a full-size basketball court.  The recreation center offers a variety of basketball leagues, as well as youth sports programs like soccer and volleyball.  After school care for children in kindergarten through fifth grade began with the school year on August 23. These activities do not require a membership; however, they do require a separate fee. Becoming a member of The Orlando Magic Recreation Center requires a $100 yearly fitness membership fee.

However, to become a member of Renaissance, it only costs $10 a year. Local residents can fill out a registration form, take a fitness room orientation tour with a staff member and then purchase a $10 per year fitness membership card.  Those who are 55 and older just need to include a doctor’s medical release form saying they are healthy enough to exercise in the fitness room.

“People enjoy coming here most to use the fitness equipment and socialize with others,” says Fleming.  “Socialization is a big part of the senior’s lives, and it’s great that we are able to help provide a place for them to enjoy.”

Article by Erika Finnimore