 Coleman Community Center is Open! Corner of Nolensville Road and Thompson Lane Build it and they will come – hundreds of eager community members joined local politicians for the Coleman Community Center grand opening ceremony with an official ribbon-cutting by Mayor Karl Dean on Saturday, May 3. The facilities are part of a $5.5 million expansion by Metro Parks and include activities for everyone from preschoolers to senior citizens throughout the year, including youth after-school and summer programs. With a year-round indoor pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, indoor walking track, huge gymnasium, game room, crafts area and meeting rooms, the 40,000 square-foot center is able to offer a wide range of activities for the entire community. SPORTS activities include softball, track and field, tennis, basketball, volleyball, soccer, and flag football. GAMES offered include table tennis, billiards, roller-skating, card tournaments, relay races and other table games. CULTURAL ARTS classes include dance, drawing, music, cooking, drama, art classes using a kiln, and multi-cultural events. ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS collaborates with “People Exploring Nature” summer camp as well as Boy and Girl Scouting programs. FITNESS activities include scheduled group activities such as exercise classes, aqua aerobics, walking and hiking groups along with the availability of equipment and pool for non-scheduled drop-ins as well. “Come on in. It’s your center,” says the smiling staff member as he opens the door for visitors to enter the new brick building with shiny red, white, and blue siding. Inside the building the painted wall colors of Caribbean Sea blue, avocado green and burnt orange are contrasted with white to give a vibrant active feeling as you walk down the halls. The walls are lined with colorful multi-cultural photos that add to the community camaraderie of “everyone is welcome here”. Overhead, visitors are trying out the new walking track which angles in and out over the gymnasium, and also provides some great outdoor views into the park. A dance class is showing their Asian style and grace in the dance room, while a fitness instructor is waiting next door in the fitness training room to help you learn how to use some high-tech fitness equipment. The indoor pool at the end of the hallway is already splashing with youngsters and a few young-at-heart who can’t resist the fun. And the gym is already bouncing with activity as kids discover the closets full of athletic gear. Paul Widman, assistant director of recreation, cultural and wellness division for Metro Parks, is busy at the entrance trying to greet everyone and answer all the questions people have. Coleman Community Center is in Coleman Park at the corner of Nolensville Road and Thompson Lane, just behind the public library. Hours for the center are Monday through Thursday from 6:00AM until 8:30PM, Friday from 6:00AM until 7:30PM, and Saturday from 8:00AM until 4:00PM. Many of the activities are free, others have nominal charges. For more information visit the center, or call 615-862-8445. Written by Teresa Stevens, Translated by Gloria Bishop
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