City recognizes young-at-heart residents with proclamation
By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
Whitewater is arguably best known for its revolving door of young adults by virtue of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus.
But the head of the city’s senior center implored officials to take a moment and consider residents on the other age spectrum as well.
At the Common Council meeting Sept. 16, City Manager Cameron Clapper read a proclamation that honored Whitewater’s older adult population for the contributions they make for the betterment of the community.
As part of the proclamation, Parks and Recreation Director Matt Amundson and Senior Center Coordinator Deb Weberpal spoke to the council about the latest activities within the organization.
Through its Seniors in the Park program, the center has offered an array of programs — from physical activities to personal enrichment lecture series. Amundson credits Weberpal with the ever-evolving roster of programs.
“One of the greatest challenges we have is the name ‘the senior center’ itself,” Amundson said. “But (Weberpal) pushes and pushes the envelope with senior programming.”
Weberpal outlined some of the senior center’s recent accomplishments, including pickleball – the racquet-style sport that has gained in popularity across the country in recent years. Several Whitewater seniors recently competed in a statewide pickleball tournament.
More recently, the center also helped initiate a sanctioned group of motorcyclists, who rode their roaring bikes around Starin Park.
During the presentation, Weberpal highlighted some of the upcoming activities taking place during the winter and early spring months, including several trips to other countries.
Investing in Whitewater’s aging adult population could, perhaps be best represented through simple demographics.
One in every six Whitewater residents is age 55 and up. If university students are removed from the equation, one in every five residents falls into the age category.
“We need to embrace their wisdom and everything they can contribute,” Weberpal said of seniors. “We’re not just a college town. … We have a wealth of older adults.”
