Members of the public are invited to join Westpark Community Center youth, parents, staff, sponsors and dignitaries at 450 W. Harrison Ave. on Tuesday, May 3, 4-5 pm, to celebrate the new fitness opportunities now available to the Westside community thanks to the completion and installation of the center’s new fitness facility, flooring and equipment.
The new fitness facility will host a variety of programs such as boxing, exercise fitness, martial arts, step classes and Zumba. Westpark serves 120 youths daily, ages 6-17, and more than 1,100 children annually through free and low-fee, scheduled and drop-in programs for fitness, enrichment and homework.
The mission of Westpark Community Center is to provide a variety of safe, educational and affordable youth programs and services that develop self-esteem, leadership, character development, sportsmanship, and health and physical fitness to the Westside. The building hosts a computer lab, arts and music studios, game and teen rooms and fully equipment kitchen that serves Westpark-registered children a free snack and dinner funded by a USDA food grant.’
“It has been a dream and an amazing journey to see all the growth, changes and improvements at Westpark,” says Youth Programs Coordinator Anita Diaz who has been center director for more than a decade and a half. “As a teen I attended games here with my dad who was a sports official at WP. It has been very gratifying to partner with so many generous community organizations and city departments to make Westpark a true community center creating a legacy that we all can be proud of.”
Aera Energy sponsored the facility’s new flooring. The business has actively supported the center’s youth academic and physical fitness programs for many years, especially through startup seed money for the Ventura Police Activities League (PAL).
