Richmond offers aerobics program for seniors
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com
RICHMOND – A pilot senior exercise program for Richmond Township residents launches next week.
For $5 a month, seniors will be able to participate in a twice-weekly aerobics class throughout 2009.
The program is part of an initiative to reach out to seniors and eventually build enough demand for the township to develop its own senior center.
“Our long-range goal is that we really need a community room,” said Tammy Valentine-Garza, township supervisor. “When we have functions, we’re busting at the seams.”
The program launches at 9 a.m. Tuesday and is open to seniors ages 50 and older who reside in McHenry, Burton and Richmond townships. The cost is $5 monthly for residents in those townships and $10 monthly for participants who don’t reside within those township limits.
Classes will be at Kensington Manor Community Center, 8400 Cunat Blvd., Richmond.
The classes will be led by Cindi Stoffel, a personal trainer who has taught classes at McHenry Township Senior Center for the past two years.
The program is backed by Richmond Township, Senior Services Associates of McHenry and Cunat, a real-estate development and property management company.
Stoffel will be paid with grants that Senior Services received. Valentine-Garza said she didn’t know how much she would be paid.
The township will pay Cunat $75 monthly to rent the room where the classes will take place.
“Partnerships are what make this cost-effective,” Valentine-Garza said.
Valentine-Garza said part of her long-range vision was for the township to have a facility that could accommodate between 300 and 500 people, but she didn’t think it would happen for another 15 years or so.
Members of the township’s Senior Services Committee said the idea for more senior programming stemmed from a need for exercise opportunities.
“[We wanted] exercise, mainly,” said Carolyn Whiting, 78, of Richmond. “We had it in Richmond at one time and it folded.”
McHenry Township has for many years offered extensive senior programming, such as bingo, art classes and cooking demonstrations.
However, Valentine-Garza said those programs were open to all McHenry County residents offered in conjunction with Senior Services, and that Richmond Township’s focus would be more local to township residents.
For information, call the township offices at 815-678-0077.
