Come As You Are – All Ages Welcome at the Broomfield Community Center

By Bette Erickson

The most curious phenomenon of aging is that most people value youth because it means potential. But only time and experience bring wisdom. Aging isn’t so bad, especially in our community of Broomfield.

Just ask Sally Huffman. She and her husband, Wayne, have been here since 1972. The couple have been married 49 years. “I’m pretty sure it’s 49 years,” she says. “Maybe we have been married 50 years.”

Mrs. Huffman is well-known in many circles, particularly the Broomfield Community Center’s (BCC) senior facilities.

Broomfield Senior Services at BCC helps older adults navigate resources to support healthy aging and independence, including the areas of prevention, mental health, isolation, and other relevant concerns. Residents are provided resources and advocacy in making contact with appropriate agencies to meet individual needs. Follow up and evaluation are provided to ensure the individual is receiving the appropriate services. Residents can access these resources and many more by calling Broomfield Senior Services at 303-464-5526.

Mrs. Huffman started her involvement at the community center first by volunteering at its front desk several decades ago. Mrs. Huffman will turn 80 years old this year.

“I never thought I would see 80, but here I am – it’s pretty special,” she explained. One of the activities that keeps her young at heart is participating in yoga twice a week at BCC.

The Senior Services department of the Broomfield Community Center offers all-facility pass holders the opportunity to enjoy a variety of benefits, in addition to access to recreation facilities when open, including the Paul Derda Recreation Center, Broomfield Community Center, and The Bay Aquatic Park. There is a daily resident rate fee of $4 for 60+ year-olds or $21/month.

If you’re caring for an aging adult that doesn’t drive or if you’ve decided to stop driving yourself, many Broomfield seniors and non-seniors make use of RTD’s Flexride®; a handicap accessible, curb-to-curb service. A shared ride bus service that travels within select areas, Flexride can be used to connect to other transit services at stations and Park-n-Rides, or get direct access to malls, schools, businesses, recreation centers, libraries, and elsewhere. To view Broomfield service areas and reserve a trip online at www.rtd-denver.com/services/FlexRide.

Another transportation option available to older adults is Easy Ride. Easy Ride continues to operate Monday through Friday with a modified schedule to accommodate early morning grocery trips, essential medical appointments, and personal and wellness trips as its schedule permits. For information, call 303-464-5534.

Many in our community, like Mrs. Huffman, enjoy volunteering. Numerous programs in the City and County of Broomfield make use of skills and expertise of volunteers. To find out more about volunteer opportunities, visit www. Broomfield.org/volunteer for more details about available opportunities or email Volunteer@broomfield.org.

Mrs. Huffman, a 2015 Broomfield Community Foundation Heart of Broomfield Senior Award recipient, said she used to volunteer at Broomfield’s flagship florist, Bouquet Boutique for a number of years, in addition to the BCC and the Women’s Gathering group at her church. She has also served on the Board of Directors for Senior Resources of Broomfield (SRB) for more than a decade.

Senior Services at the Broomfield Community Center offers dozens of activities – some, but not all, are just on hold or have gone virtual until these COVID-19 restrictions ease.

“Always be nice to seniors, because you’re going to be one someday,” Mrs. Huffman said her mother advised her years ago and that’s why, even to this day, she stays so active in the community promoting senior issues.

Go to https://broomfield.org/3301/ Program-Calendar for an up to date, hour-by-hour listing of upcoming events geared toward senior issues and current happenings.

Sally Huffman and BCC’s Program Supervisor for Easy Ride, Jennifer Hussey (right), pause to admire the Senior Resources of Broomfield’s Tree of Life located at the Broomfield Community Center, 280 Spader Way.

Photo by Bette Erickson for Our Broomfield™

Broomfield Community Center 280 Spader Way Broomfield, CO 80020 303-464-5526 www.BroomfieldCommunityCenter.com seniorweb@broomfield.org

Register for classes at Paul Derda Recreation Center or the Broomfield Community Center and find additional information at www.B-Rex.com.

Are you new to Broomfield or want to learn more about what Broomfield Senior Services offers? Drop by from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. the second Monday of the month to hear about opportunities available to seniors such as: classes, trips, programs, volunteering, and more. Register online at www.B-Rex.com or call 303-464-5526. The monthly meeting is free.

Bette Erickson writes about people, places, and events in Broomfield. Contact her at bette_erickson@ hotmail.com with your story ideas.