Seniors get new programming, WSU room at Ogden’s city-run recreation center
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- Ogden City Recreation Manager Edd Bridge plays virtual disc golf on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, at Golden Hours Senior Center.
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- The Weber State University game room at Golden Hours Senior Center, pictured Friday, Sept. 16, 2022.
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- The Weber State University game room at Golden Hours Senior Center, pictured Friday, Sept. 16, 2022.
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- The Weber State University game room at Golden Hours Senior Center, pictured Friday, Sept. 16, 2022.
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- A new sport simulator for members of the Golden Hours Senior Center is pictured on Friday Sept. 16, 2022.
OGDEN — Membership is skyrocketing in tandem with new programming at the city-run Golden Hours Senior Center and staffers are eager to see what winter months will bring.
City officials encouraged Golden Hours Director Ginger Myers to update programming after reopening post-COVID.
Myers, who took over supervising the center in June 2020, said she wanted to create new spaces for active seniors, adding a state-of-the-art sport simulator.
The new gaming system offers numerous activities including baseball, hockey, soccer and bowling, but the game seniors seem to be enjoying the most, according to Myers, is Zombie Dodgeball.
“It’s been a lot of fun watching them,” said Edd Bridge, Ogden City Recreation manager.
Every Friday at 12:30 p.m., members of the Golden Hours bowling league use the simulator room, previously an underutilized computer lab. The center still offers help with phones, tablets and computers every Monday with a tech tutor, but the senior center wanted to offer services and activities not easily accessible to those of the 50 and over community.
With computer use largely available at the Ogden Public Library next door to the center, Bridge said they thought outside the box in creating new programming.
Wire wrapping, an artistic form of binding wire to objects, and the Latin-inspired dance fitness program Zumba are now being offered in addition to existing classes like chair yoga, pottery, line dancing and ukulele lessons.
To view a complete list of all services, activities and membership details available to all seniors in the community, visit https://www.ogdencity.com/325/Golden-Hours.
“Our programming offers something for everyone,” Myers said.
Funding for programs and activities at the facility is raised by members of the Golden Hours Center Foundation through community events. Golden Hours’ veterans group recently held a rummage sale and silent auction to raise money for a group-designed veterans memorial to be built at the center.
With help from the city and donations from Weber State University, Myers said they were able to renovate their lounge/game room into a Weber State game room outfitted with WSU swag, autographed jerseys, comfy chairs and couches, and a pool table.
Bridge said they have quite a few WSU alums, and facility staff wanted to highlight them with a special place to hang out, share stories, play games and be proud of.
“The city is really trying to make sure we have what we need for our seniors in the community,” Myers said.