The building that houses the Hockessin Police Athletic League isn’t just for kids.
New Castle County’s Hockessin Community Activity Center shares the space with PAL and keeps its half of the building buzzing with programs for adults and young children.
“There are a lot of people who have no idea this building serves anyone except kids aged 8 to 18,” said Ruth Markle, assistant administrator of community activity centers.
But the activity center has been operating since PAL opened its doors in 2001, offering classes in everything from computer literacy to zumba, Markle said. More than 27,000 people visited last year, she said.
One thing that makes the center unique is that some of its courses are offered on a drop-in basis, she said, like open weight training and pick up basketball.
And for courses that aren’t drop-in, participants pay by the month, so if they go on vacation over the summer, they won’t be saddled with fees for classes they miss, Markle said.
The price -- $6 per class for every class – makes the center a reasonable option of folks who don’t want to pay more expensive health club fees, she said.
“We cater to the type of person who needs a little more structure,” she said.
For some, it can be easier to commit to a fitness class if the class is offered at a set time every week, Markle said. Plus, with 15 or 20 students in each class, the activity center offers an intimate environment where people can get to know their instructors and classmates, she said.
In addition to classes, many with a health and fitness focus, the center periodically offers free health screenings and self-help seminars.
The center is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday. For more information, call 302-239-8861 or visit www.nccde.org/Happenings.
By Adam Zewe
