Midland Community Center
Encyclopedia
The Midland Community Center (MCC) is a nearly 200000 sq ft (18,580.6 m²) complex on three levels in the heart of Midland, Michigan
that provides comprehensive social, recreational
and personal
development opportunities for all residents. The programs of the non-profit organization are professionally designed and supervised.
was founded January 14, 1919 in conjunction with the very first bowling alley in Midland. The community center became a trend-setter, and other sports and pastimes were gradually introduced to the community, including basketball, handball, volleyball, table tennis, archery, tennis and softball.
The first building at the site of the current center was opened in 1954, but it has been expanded several times since then. An indoor rifle range was open during the 1960’s and National Rifle Association
sanctioned classes in marksmanship were offered for air rifle (BB gun) and small bore (.22). They were discontinued in the early 1970’s due to lack of interest.
During the summer of 2005, the MCC locker rooms were completely renovated. The lockers themselves were the originals installed when the center was built and had fifty years of use.
In addition to locker replacement, separate family and adult sections were built, the flooring was upgraded and plumbing fixtures were updated.
Also in 2005, MCC recorded 900,000 member visits, which is equivalent to 2,465 persons participating in an activity every day of the year.
(GMCC), which provides guidance and assistance to five existing non-profit recreation centers in Midland County, including the Midland Community Center.
Two classrooms at the MCC received a makeover to become the offices for the GMCC personnel. At the same time, GMCC announced a $5.1 million fundraising campaign to "enhance the quality of life for Midlanders," according to GMCC CEO Chris Tointon. Individuals and businesses contributed to the project, but the majority came from local charitable trusts including the
Alden & Vada Dow Foundation, the Dow Chemical Company Foundation, the Dow Corning Corporation Foundation, The Herbert H. & Grace A. Dow Foundation, the Midland Area Community Foundation, the Charles J. Strosacker Foundation and the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation. The money paid for three projects, but more than half the total was used to create an "outdoor campus" at MCC.
To accommodate the new amenities, George Street was closed by the city and became the driveway to the new parking lot; the intersection at George and Haley Streets disappeared. A new entrance with a passenger pickup/drop-off was constructed on Jefferson Avenue. The entire project was completed in late 2008.
In 2009, the MCC celebrated their 90th year of service.
In addition to aquatics, the indoor sports of basketball, volleyball, gymnastics and curling are featured. Outdoor sports such as flag football are organized in cooperation with the Midland Parks and Recreation department.
Offerings in fine arts are continuously scheduled and include art lessons, voice and/or instrument lessons and dance classes.
Specialty fitness activities that are sponsored include fencing, martial arts (karate & judo), Yoga, boxing (non-contact), billiards, table tennis and badminton.
provides significant funding for the center's operations. For 2009, UW allocated $282,900 for education programs, $61,500 for self-sufficiency programs and $270,600 for health programs. The total of $615,000 was 16.4% of UWs budget. The MCC also relies on local companies to underwrite specific programs and free activities.
Yearly memberships are based on the number of household members and the specific programs used. Costs range from approximately $200 per year for an individual child to over $1000 for a family with access to virtually all programs.
Fees are charged for participation in scheduled classes, athletic leagues, and most "drop-in" activities.
large membership base.
43°37′03"N 84°13′45"W
Midland, Michigan
Midland is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan in the Tri-Cities region of the state. It is the county seat of Midland County. The city's population was 41,863 as of the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Midland Micropolitan Statistical Area....
that provides comprehensive social, recreational
Recreation
Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are considered to be "fun"...
and personal
Personal development
Personal development includes activities that improve awareness and identity, develop talents and potential, build human capital and facilitates employability, enhance quality of life and contribute to the realization of dreams and aspirations...
development opportunities for all residents. The programs of the non-profit organization are professionally designed and supervised.
History
The Midland Community CenterCommunity centre
Community centres or community centers or jumping recreation centers are public locations where members of a community tend to gather for group activities, social support, public information, and other purposes. They may sometimes be open for the whole community or for a specialised group within...
was founded January 14, 1919 in conjunction with the very first bowling alley in Midland. The community center became a trend-setter, and other sports and pastimes were gradually introduced to the community, including basketball, handball, volleyball, table tennis, archery, tennis and softball.
The first building at the site of the current center was opened in 1954, but it has been expanded several times since then. An indoor rifle range was open during the 1960’s and National Rifle Association
National Rifle Association
The National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
sanctioned classes in marksmanship were offered for air rifle (BB gun) and small bore (.22). They were discontinued in the early 1970’s due to lack of interest.
During the summer of 2005, the MCC locker rooms were completely renovated. The lockers themselves were the originals installed when the center was built and had fifty years of use.
In addition to locker replacement, separate family and adult sections were built, the flooring was upgraded and plumbing fixtures were updated.
Also in 2005, MCC recorded 900,000 member visits, which is equivalent to 2,465 persons participating in an activity every day of the year.
Umbrella structure
A new corporation was formed in 2005, the Greater Midland Community Centers, Inc.Greater Midland Community Centers
The Greater Midland Community Centers, Inc. is a non-profit corporation in Midland, Michigan, founded in 2005 to provide guidance and assistance to five existing non-profit family and recreation centers in Midland County.-Reasons for creation:...
(GMCC), which provides guidance and assistance to five existing non-profit recreation centers in Midland County, including the Midland Community Center.
Two classrooms at the MCC received a makeover to become the offices for the GMCC personnel. At the same time, GMCC announced a $5.1 million fundraising campaign to "enhance the quality of life for Midlanders," according to GMCC CEO Chris Tointon. Individuals and businesses contributed to the project, but the majority came from local charitable trusts including the
Alden & Vada Dow Foundation, the Dow Chemical Company Foundation, the Dow Corning Corporation Foundation, The Herbert H. & Grace A. Dow Foundation, the Midland Area Community Foundation, the Charles J. Strosacker Foundation and the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation. The money paid for three projects, but more than half the total was used to create an "outdoor campus" at MCC.
MCC expansion
The city averages 141 days each year below freezing, so the MCC had always concentrated on indoor activities. A $2.5 million expansion in 2008 changed that. Part of the plan involved moving two homes and demolishing a third that was located across the street from the center that occupied land destined to become a new parking area, outdoor running track, outdoor basketball courts and a children's playscape. Walking and biking trails were also created on what is now a 12 acres (48,562.3 m²) campus.To accommodate the new amenities, George Street was closed by the city and became the driveway to the new parking lot; the intersection at George and Haley Streets disappeared. A new entrance with a passenger pickup/drop-off was constructed on Jefferson Avenue. The entire project was completed in late 2008.
In 2009, the MCC celebrated their 90th year of service.
Programs
The organization provides the community with a diverse group of activities that include youth and adult classes, drop-in sessions and leagues for athletics.In addition to aquatics, the indoor sports of basketball, volleyball, gymnastics and curling are featured. Outdoor sports such as flag football are organized in cooperation with the Midland Parks and Recreation department.
Offerings in fine arts are continuously scheduled and include art lessons, voice and/or instrument lessons and dance classes.
Specialty fitness activities that are sponsored include fencing, martial arts (karate & judo), Yoga, boxing (non-contact), billiards, table tennis and badminton.
Funding
The United Way of Midland CountyMidland County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 82,874 people, 31,769 households, and 22,683 families residing in the county. The population density was 159 people per square mile . There were 33,796 housing units at an average density of 65 per square mile...
provides significant funding for the center's operations. For 2009, UW allocated $282,900 for education programs, $61,500 for self-sufficiency programs and $270,600 for health programs. The total of $615,000 was 16.4% of UWs budget. The MCC also relies on local companies to underwrite specific programs and free activities.
Yearly memberships are based on the number of household members and the specific programs used. Costs range from approximately $200 per year for an individual child to over $1000 for a family with access to virtually all programs.
Fees are charged for participation in scheduled classes, athletic leagues, and most "drop-in" activities.
Facilities
The center has facilities and equipment to support the various programs needed for theirlarge membership base.
- Leisure Pool with water slide, lap pool and instruction pool
- Three full-size gymnasiums (one limited to Gymnastics)
- Squash, racquetball/paddleball and WallyballWallyballWallyball is a fast-paced sport that was created by Bill Dejonghe at The Calabasas Racquetball Club , in 1979 . The idea was an attempt to help bring more business into the club in the summer months The club pro Joe Garcia then took the idea mainstream. However, the sport roots go back to as early...
courts - Sauna and steam rooms
- Climbing wallClimbing wallA climbing wall is an artificially constructed wall with grips for hands and feet, usually used for indoor climbing, but sometimes located outdoors as well. Some are brick or wooden constructions, but on most modern walls, the material most often used is a thick multiplex board with holes drilled...
for Indoor climbingIndoor climbingIndoor Climbing is an increasingly popular form of rock climbing performed on artificial structures that attempt to mimic the experience of outdoor rock.Competetive indoor climbing is also called sport climbing.... - Five dance studios and mirrored dance room
- Theater stage & production set
- Art and pottery rooms and kilns
- Exercise, cardio, weight and cycling rooms
- Indoor jogging/walking track
- Computer lab
Special services
Certain individual programs are available through the MCC for an additional fee. These include massage therapy, personal trainers, fitness appraisals, health screenings and personal nutrition education.Deli
For the first time in its history, a food service business opened inside the facility in June, 2010. The Crossroads Deli is operated by a former resident who received culinary training at The Art Institute of Colorado before returning to Midland. The eatery prepares salads, soups, sandwiches, sweets and smoothies.External links
- Midland Community Center website
- Greater Midland Community Centers website
- Midland Curling Club website
- Dow RunWalk website
43°37′03"N 84°13′45"W