Pitts: Fayetteville opens senior center with lake view; tennis complex in future

I knew the Bill Crisp Senior Center would be built near Lake Rim — a stone’s throw from Lake Rim Park and next to Beauty Spot Missionary Baptist Church.

What I did not grasp until Tuesday is what a show Lake Rim puts on, as seen from inside the center. Large windows in the center afford a sparkling view of the lake amid the woods — it adds a meditative aspect to the fitness room, dance studio, lounge area and a large meeting space that look out onto what is one of the city’s significant bodies of water.

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The city and Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks & Recreation held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday morning for the $8.3-million dollar senior center, named for late City Councilman Bill Crisp. Afterward, guests toured the center, with parks and rec volunteers on hand to help answer any questions.

Belinda Jackson, the rec center supervisor for senior programs, said many people had complimented the windows.

“Beautiful,” she says of the view. “I will come into work and I’ll stand there for a minute, then drink my coffee, enjoy it and then start my day.”

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The reflected image of the lake comes through especially strongly in the dance room with its tall mirrors. That’s where I saw William Crisp, the son of the center’s namesake, in conversation with Brian Gaskell, assistant recreation center supervisor for senior programs.

I asked William Crisp what he thought of the center named for his dad.

He gave a long sigh.

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“I wish my father had lived long enough to see this,” he said. “He would love this. But that’s just the way things happen.”

Crisp’s father was a retired command sergeant major and popular figure on the City Council — known for his straight talk and his sense of humor. He died at age 81 on July 28, 2021.

William Crisp said he echoed the remarks made by his sister during the groundbreaking ceremony held at 10 a.m on Tuesday: “This is beautiful, this is really an honor. We are so grateful.”

Crisp said his father loved Fayetteville, was crazy about the city and embraced it.

“Apparently, there are people who are all over the city who embraced him,” he said.

William Crisp added he planned on returning to use the fitness equipment, playfully patting his stomach and saying he needed to work on a few pounds.

‘Learn new things’

The Senior Center is located at 7560 Raeford Road — that’s “old” Raeford Road — in the western part of the county. The center is 19,619 square feet and includes a “warm-water pool, fitness center, dance room, large multi-purpose space, full kitchen, offices and lounge areas,” according to a city of Fayetteville news release.

The center will offer activities and programs for adults 55+, to include arts and crafts, chess, book club, dominoes, a walking club, phone and laptop classes, aqua fitness, Zumba and Tai Chi, the release states.

The Bill Crisp center marks the parks department’s third senior center. A fourth, Senior Center East, is under construction off Murchison Road near Fayetteville State University.

Crisp’s fellow council members unanimously voted to name the center for him a few months before he died. Such a facility was a goal of Crisp's, often referred to as the “Dean” of the council, the release says.

“(Councilman) Crisp envisioned a building large enough to accommodate seniors and their needs while providing critical services that keep the area’s seniors healthy, active and engaged both mentally and physically,” the release states.

I talked with several of those seniors as I toured the center on Tuesday. Among them were members of Beauty Spot, my parents’ church and where I grew up. I am dating myself but I was baptized in Lake Rim before the old church added a baptismal pool.

In the lobby and lounge area, I happened upon a group of friends who are in the Red Hat Society. They meet at the Cliffdale Recreation Center and came by to see what the Crisp Center had to offer.

They were impressed.

“I am going to enjoy that pool,” said Velma Roberson. “I love water aerobics.”

Doris Shaw, a Red Hat who was serving as a volunteer with the senior center, declared the center “spacious.”

Gloria Henderson said she lives close by and has definite plans for how she will use the center.

“I had done tai chi before, so I’m definitely going to continue my tai chi.”

She said she also loved the card game, bid whist.

“What about pinochle?” Roberson asks her.

Henderson said: “I don’t know pinochle … but I can learn. That’s why we have this center, to learn new things.”

Rise of pickleball

The Crisp Senior Center is among projects paid for by a parks and recreation bond passed by Fayetteville voters in a comfortable margin in 2016. It is the gift that keeps on giving, and I consider it one of the best things Fayetteville residents have done for themselves. Let’s give ourselves a pat on the back.

The news release states: “Other bond projects completed or under construction include 6 splash pads, park and playground improvements, extending the Cape Fear River Trail, a downtown skate park, a tennis center, recreation center renovations and a sports complex in partnership with Fort Bragg.”

I would add that because the voter-passed bond handled the parks department’s capital projects and repairs and upgrades to existing facilities, the city was able to build three new pools, including one at Lake Rim Park.

This is a busy period for bond money. Last Friday, city and parks and recreation officials broke ground on the $11.5 million tennis center at 1300 Bragg Blvd, near the intersection with Filter Plant Drive.

That 6,594-square-foot center will have 15 tennis courts, including a championship competition court, four pickleball courts, locker rooms, a lounge, a learning area and a pro shop, according to a news release. It will offer tennis lessons and clinics for beginners through advanced players.

The center is expected to be completed in 2023.

The rise of pickelball illustrates how the parks and rec department has to sometimes bob and weave to match community needs and desires when it comes to parks. Its staff under director Michael Gibson has shown an ability to do so.

Pickleball, a tennis-like sport that has caught fire, especially with the older set, was hardly a thing when city voters first passed the bond. But adding four courts to the mix at the new center was a smart decision.

And that will not be the city’s only pickleball offering by any means. Gibson talked about the rollout of pickleball courts at various parks.

“We did some at Rowan, we did some at Massey Hill. We added courts out in the county at Eastover and Wade. We're going to do some in Linden and we're going to do some in Godwin.”

Gibson said the sport still attracts a high amount of seniors.

“But younger people are now starting to jump into it.”

Myron B. Pitts can be reached at mpitts@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3559.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Pitts: Fayetteville opens senior center with lake view; tennis complex in future