THOUSAND OAKS : Dance to Celebrate New Senior Center

More than 350 seniors are expected to attend a sold-out grand opening ball at the long-awaited Goebel Senior Adult Center in Thousand Oaks tonight.

The center’s classes and services will begin Monday, 28 months after an arsonist destroyed the half-completed structure on March 25, 1989.

Also, an open house will be held Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., said Mark Schrock, who has been the recreation supervisor for the area senior program for eight years.

“We’ll have all the current programs and adult education classes such as Spanish, oil painting and tap dancing,” administrative clerk Arlene Kranz said. In September, the center will add Jazzercise for those over 40, a class on current events and one on nutrition.

The center sponsors senior sports classes, including golf, tennis and swimming, at off-site locations.

Schrock said many members of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) branch in the Conejo Valley help the Senior Nutrition Program, which serves noon meals at the center Mondays through Fridays. Reservations are required, with a suggested donation is $1.75 per senior.

The 17,195-square-foot center, designed by Woff/Lang/Christopher Architects Inc., is at 1385 E. Janss Road between the Teen Center and Thousand Oaks Library. It will replace the 6,500-square-foot Conejo School Road building, which has housed the senior program since 1976.

The $3.1-million building features a lobby with a fireplace, a multipurpose room with a stage and a hardwood dance floor, two rooms for arts and crafts, three classrooms, a kitchen, and a large room for pool and card games.

Members of the Goebel Senior Center Commission raised $130,000 to purchase furnishings for the center.

The Conejo Recreation and Park District operates the senior program, which serves 5,000 to 6,000 seniors a month.

“They’ve been patient,” Schrock said. “And their patience has paid off. They have a beautiful facility to be proud of.”

The new center will be open Mondays through Thursdays 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays noon to 5 p.m.

For information on events and programs, call (805) 497-1639.