Ark Valley News - Active at any age

The Valley Center Recreation Commission hosts a pickleball class in Lions Park April 27. The VCRC pickleball league will begin May 26.

Active at any age
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: May 02, 2024

Rec commission trying out new sports programs aimed at adults

Local stores are going to see a run on knee braces and jars of liniment. The Valley Center Recreation Commission is expanding its sports programs for adults.

The organization this year began rolling out a handful of adult-participation sports in an effort to capture a segment of the local population that has historically been underserved.

"One goal that we had going into 2024 … was more adult programs," said Blake Peniston, recreation commission director. "That's kind of something that we've struggled in."

The rec commission tried dodgeball and kickball.

The biggest hit so far has been co-ed volleyball.

"We had six teams," said Dylan Simmons, director of programs for the rec commission. "They really enjoyed it."

The league played on Sunday nights for four weeks and finished with a playoff.

Mid-Life Crisis beat the Chewblockas for the championship, by the way.

It was the first time since the late 1980s that the rec commission offered volleyball for adults.

The VCRC also is planning to start a co-ed slow-pitch softball league later this summer. It is shooting for July or August with games at McKay Petrie Sports Complex.

Other sports in the works are 3-on-3 basketball and pickleball.

While the basketball season hasn't been set, the rec center began taking signups this week for pickleball. The league will begin May 26 and weekly matches will be played on the new courts in Lions Park.

"Our goal is to reach as many people in the community as possible," Peniston said. "That's from babies to seniors. … We know adults are busy. So it's going to be harder to do. But it's something we're going to offer and get feedback on."

The rec commission also offers fitness programs for adults and senior citizens. Peniston said the VCRC is willing to try new programs.

He said the new recreation center, which is slated to open at the beginning of 2025, also will give the VCRC additional adult program options.

"We told Dylan to just start rolling them out," Peniston said. "We're giving him the wheel to try things and go from there. We'll try things at different times and see what works and what doesn't. And we'll try to narrow it down. … If anyone has any ideas, just email me or Dylan. Let us know."