On June 24, over 700 hundred people gathered at the brand new Van Buren Community Center (VBC) with great excitement for the highly anticipated ribbon cutting of the township’s newest facility. Located at 46425 Tyler Road, the VBC is the community’s new home for everything from health and fitness to family-friendly workshops and special events. It will also be the home of the township’s senior center.The state-of-the-art facility offers amenities including a weight and cardio room, fitness studio, gymnasium, elevated walking track, exclusive members-only events, black box theater, discounted fitness classes, workshops, facility rentals, child watch and much more.
Director of Community Services Elizabeth Renaud said the idea of a new community center in Van Buren has been tossed around for the past decade, but actual plans for the VBC were conceived in 2019, starting with a feasibility study. The results of the study showed that 76 percent of residents wanted a community center that had an indoor track and larger workout facilities.
The township requested input from residents when it came to designing the new community center and after COVID, when the building design and all the specifications were confirmed, construction began in September of 2022 and was completed this spring. The renovation and addition to the old building added an additional 21,763 square feet to the facility.
“It’s been something the community has been looking for, for a long time,” Renaud said.
Offerings and amenities
The VBC hosts classes and special interest events for people of all ages year round. Whether it’s a Bob Ross inspired painting class, a self-defense course or a brew-your-own kombucha workshop, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Members of the center can take advantage of exclusive ongoing events like walking clubs and movie nights throughout the year.
Join a club through the VBC to make connections with others in the community and have fun while doing it. Current club opportunities include the VBC Pickleball Club, Silent Book Club and the Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan (BGCSM), which is creating opportunities for youth in the community.
“We are excited to bring world-class workforce development programming, world-class behavioral health support and a world-class sports program to our youth,” said Shawn Wilson, president and CEO of BGCSM.
With health and happiness at the forefront of their mission, the VBC offers a large selection of both organized and drop-in sports and fitness activities for all ages.
The VBC will soon also offer a Child Watch Program to members, a safe and secure “semi-structured free play” environment for children up to age 10 to enjoy for as long as two hours while their parents work out, attend a class or just enjoy what the center has to offer.
A variety of rooms at the VBC are available for the public to rent, whether it’s for a birthday party, baby shower or any other gathering. Choose from meeting rooms, multipurpose rooms or even rent out the theater or the entire gym.
Senior Center programming
Adults aged 62-plus are encouraged to check out the new and improved Senior Center, where they will find a variety of classes and programs including exercise, arts and crafts, leisure, restaurant trips and so much more.
The Senior Center temporarily operated out of Haggerty Elementary School while the VBC was under construction but now seniors can return to a bigger and better space at the new VBC. The township and members of the Senior Center are beyond grateful for the partnership with Van Buren Public Schools, which allowed programming to continue during construction.
“We kept the spirit of the old Senior Center but we put new finishes on, gave them some new spaces and brightened up their old spaces,” Renaud said. “We’re very happy to have them back here on Tyler Road.”
Senior Center members Betty Mott and Carol Pearson toured the new space and are excited to have a new facility to enjoy. Pearson said she enjoys participating in Zumba Gold and Mott is looking forward to Bingo in the “nice and jazzy” Aspen Room.
Room to grow
With the Community Center being the largest amenity investment the township has ever undertaken, the VBC is the place to be for fitness, friendship and fun for all ages. Visit the VBC in person to take a tour and become a member. For membership information and a full program guide, visit www.vanburen-mi.org.
