The Lodge celebrates first anniversary

A delighted, albeit quiet, squeal erupts as city workers eye an unfamiliar group of people ambling through the doors of The Lodge.

“Those aren’t regulars,” note Kathy Skinner, assistant director, and Joan Seedorf, recreation coordinator for the Chaska Parks and Recreation Department (which oversees The Lodge).

The quartet of senior citizens makes its way to a table in the center of the room. They are quickly approached with offers for a cup of coffee and health-related brochures which they politely accept, launching kind smiles in return. They settle in, sipping their coffee and chatting among themselves. Before long, they appear as at home as anyone in The Lodge, bringing a smile to Skinner and Seedorf’s faces.

After a year of operation, seeing new faces stumble upon their facility remains exciting for staff at The Lodge.

The $2.8 million expansion on the west end of the Chaska Community Center opened last year and is still developing its identity as a gathering spot for seniors, or “active older adults” (AOAs), as they’re called by city staffers.

On Tuesday, The Lodge will celebrate its one-year anniversary with a Toast-N-Roast celebration including food and entertainment. Many of the regulars are expected to attend, but Skinner and Seedorf are also hoping to attract a few new faces to the space.

Their place

Ron Waits, Marlyn Puppe and the rest of their “Gentleman’s Club” are happy to call the Lodge home on Monday mornings. While they would normally meet at the Chaska Bakery for coffee and a roll, they make their way to The Lodge on Mondays when the bakery is closed.

“It’s very comfortable,” said Puppe. “And it’s close for all of us.”

“We enjoy the serenity and the TLC from Karen,” offered Waits.

The “Karen” that Waits speaks of is AOA Specialist Karen Campbell, who spends many mornings greeting visitors to The Lodge by name (she has an amazing memory) and offering up a free hot cup of coffee.

Community Center staff is encouraged to spend time in The Lodge visiting with people and promoting the integration of the Lodge with the rest of the building.

Skinner says that having a 200,000 square foot facility with a variety of offerings is a big draw for seniors who start their day working out in the fitness center before moving up to The Lodge to relax and visit with friends.

“I think if it was a stand-alone (senior center), it would be different,” said Skinner, adding that they average about 100 visitors on Mondays, one of their busiest days during the week. Birthday celebrations (held once a month) can draw between 40 and 50 people, movie nights average about 30, while the Thursday night pool league has a regular group of 15-20 people.

Skinner said they can also attribute their success to understanding and responding to the needs of the facility’s users.

“The intent was always to provide a space for them,” she said. “To give them a place to be.”

For that reason, they haven’t done heavy programming.

“They like to have a place to visit,” said Skinner.

While they do offer weekly programs like bingo, bridge and billiards, and occasional classes on computers and defensive driving, they have made sure to leave plenty of open blocks for seniors to create their own agendas. “They’ve really taken ownership of the Lodge,” said Seedorf.

Barb Colhapp started a monthly book club. Others have organized weekly card games. It’s exactly the atmosphere staff envisioned when they first thought of a senior center.

“We’re where we are after one year, that we thought we’d be at after five years,” said Director Tom Redman. “It’s proven to be a really good gamble.”

-Mollee Francisco, staff writer

TELL US: Have you visited The Lodge?

Lodge Toast-N-Roast birthday celebration

When: 4-7 p.m., Tuesday, June 17

Where: 1660 Park Ridge Drive

Featuring: Entertainment by Dale Dahmen and the Beats, BBQ, Silver Sneakers demo, Health Fair, Wheel of Wellness