[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 36 (Thursday, March 26, 1998)]
[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

                                 ______
                                 

                        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.''

     

                          ____________________