The senior living community offers space to Coastal Seniors of South Walton to hold fitness classes, events
Watersound Fountains, an independent living community in Inlet Beach, has become a welcome space for local seniors – and not just the ones who live there. Over the last year, the community has partnered with Coastal Seniors of South Walton (CSSW) to provide space for the group’s regular fitness classes and special events.
On March 17, the group launched its popular water aerobics class at the Watersound Fountains pool. During the winter months, they also hosted line dancing classes at the community, which wrapped up on March 12. For years, the Coastal Seniors have petitioned to have a senior center built in South Walton to house its regular classes and events. Until that happens, Watersound Fountains is happy to provide a space for all seniors in South Walton to meet.
“We’ve built a strong partnership with the Coastal Seniors since opening our doors last year,” said Melissa Adams, Executive Director of Watersound Fountains. “We believe strongly that regular socialization and physical activity are important to maintaining an active lifestyle for local seniors. We’re happy to provide CSSW a space to host those events until they have a space of their own.”
In addition to providing a space for CSSW’s regular fitness classes, the senior living community has provided food for its events – like the Bicentennial event in Santa Rosa Beach last June. They also served as the venue for CSSW’s member appreciation event last fall.
Earlier this year, CSSW started a petition on Change.org to raise awareness of the need for a senior center in Walton County. In it, they note that seniors are often impacted by isolation as they age, which can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, and more. Currently, seniors age 50 and above make up 42 percent of the population of Walton County, yet there is not an adequate facility where programs for active seniors can be provided.
When they are not holding class at Watersound Fountains, CSSW meets at the Walton County Commissioners Office in Santa Rosa Beach and hosts events throughout the community. The organization provides a community for active seniors and focuses on personal health, social, recreational, volunteer opportunities, and life-long learning. Classes include exercise, chair yoga, Tai Chi, watercolor painting classes, and pickleball sessions. The organization also regularly hosts guest speakers.
Adams said that CSSW members are always welcome at Watersound Fountains events, and the invitation goes both ways. The senior living community has purchased CSSW memberships for residents so they can attend events with the Coastal Seniors outside of the community. Creating a space where all seniors are welcome is a common thread the two organizations share.
The two organizations are in the early phases of discussing a possible CSSW art class in Watersound Fountains’ Create Art Studio.
“There have been discussions about a watercolors class with a local senior who is a member of the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County,” said Adams. “We have a beautiful art studio in our community and we’d love to see more people enjoy it. This seems like a win for everyone involved and the next phase of the beautiful partnership we’ve created with CSSW.”
Coastal Seniors will hold its weekly water aerobics class at Watersound Fountains from March until October. The class is held four times a week – on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Members can register for the classes on the CSSW website.
Author: Sowal Editor
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