Whether you want to take a walk, swim, unwind in a hot tub, use exercise equipment, socialize, or enjoy a nutritious meal, all of this — and more — is available to residents of North Huntsville at the Robert “Bob” Harrison Wellness and Advocacy Center.

The Harrison Center stands out as a unique senior center in North Alabama. Like other centers in the region, it offers free nutritious meals and informative programs, but it goes further with its wellness center. For just $15 per month, members have access to a gym, pool, hot tub, exercise classes, engaging activities, field trips, and special classes.

With around 600 active members, the center is led by Deitrick Smart, who has served as director for the past year and a half. Open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., the center sees an average of 150 to 250 visitors daily, with 35 receiving hot meals. On Soul Food Thursdays, meals are available for purchase at $5 each, though quantities are limited.

Every month, the center hosts a birthday celebration and for October, Lela Crutcher was recognized as the “most seasoned” as she turned 85 on Oct. 19.

“I feel good,” Lela said. “I’ve been coming here since they opened, we were on Blue Spring Road at first, but this is a place to come and socialize and be celebrated.”

On a sponsored lunch day, Mary Cable, 90, is taking up lunch tickets in the buffet line because she likes to keep her hands busy.

“I enjoy the people here and meeting new people,” Mary said. “I like to exercise and play Bingo. I’m old but I’m still doing what I can.”

            From left, seniors participate in exercise class and strength training at the Robert “Bob” Harrison Wellness and Advocacy Center.

Keeping seniors active

Deitrick said he likes to focus on keeping seniors active, which is right in his element since he has degrees in health education, recreation and sports.

“Research continues to show that staying fit provides a better quality of life in the long run,” he said. “Strength training is important as you age to keep you strong and to build muscle.”

Deitrick said keeping a healthy mindset is important. He’s talked to people who think once you retire you stop. “But not here. People are coming every day when the center opens at 7:30 a.m. to go to the gym.”

People enjoy playing Bingo and cards and participating in Arts and Crafts like sewing, but from walking to working out, staying fit stays top of mind.

Elisha Wynn, 77, and his wife Jennifer Wynn, 76, love the center being five minutes from their home.

“We enjoy the walking track,” Elisha said.

Eutiquio Martinez, will be 91 on Halloween Day. He and wife Alicia, 85, have been members for three years.

“We use all of the facilities to work out and stay fit,” he said. “And then there’s the friendships we have with so many people. We have so many commonalities, we’re the same age and we communicate very well.”]

Eddie Turner, 79 and ¾, said he holds member number 29. Or maybe it’s 35, but he remembers Bob Harrison recruiting him to come to the center when it first opened.

Card games like Big Whist and socialization are important.

“And exercise doesn’t hurt anyone,” Eddie added.

Beverly Bryant Redrick, 75, has been a member since it first opened but she didn’t really start visiting the center until she retired.

“I’d get up and didn’t want to come and I’m still that way but once I get here, I’m fine and I enjoy it,” Beverly said.

She goes to the gym every day, plays Bingo on Tuesdays, does chair aerobics on Mondays and Wednesdays and line dancing on Fridays.

“We have a wonderful (line dancing) teacher and I’m not the youngest but I’m not the oldest and it’s a lot of fun,” Beverly said.

Rebecca Bradshaw, 71 years young, has been coming over a year for her health and she encourages everyone she meets to join her.

“I don’t get paid or get any stock to help promote the place,” she laughed. “But I love this place and like to encourage others to come because I try to come five days a week, do yoga, strength training, Tai Chi, circuit training, water aerobics and the meals.”

Amenities

Nestled in the picturesque Cedar Point neighborhood off Pulaski Pike, at the foothills of the Wade Mountain Nature Preserve, the 20,000 square foot center sits on about 48 acres. It lives up to its name with the following amenities:

• Heated swimming pool and hot tub with handicapped access
  • Water aerobics
  • Water yoga
  • Basic swimming classes
• Indoor rubberized track
• Outdoor nature walking trail
• Strength training
• Exercise equipment including:
  • pneumatic strength-training machines
  • treadmills
  • exercise bicycles
  • upper body recumbent cycles
  • total body recumbent steppers
  • elliptical trainers
• Chair exercise
• Chair yoga
• Flat-screened televisions members can watch as they exercise
• Arts and crafts studio with classes including:
  • basic sewing
  • needlecraft
  • crocheting
  • quilting
  • drawing
  • water coloring
  • gardening
• Computer lab
• Nutritional Lunch Program
• TARCOG presents programs geared to helping seniors in connect with senior services
• The Alabama Cooperative Extension System teaches enrichment programs on health, education, and finance.
• An outdoor pavilion

From left, seniors are happy to be at the Robert “Bob” Harrison Wellness and Advocacy Center, enjoying a Soul Food Thursday and working in the Arts and Craft Room.

The center’s history

The center’s founder, Bob Harrison, who died in 2017, served as the Madison County Commissioner for District 6 for several years. He had a vision for the “graying” community of Northwest Huntsville and worked to obtain funding for the namesake 20,000 square foot center, which officially opened in February 2013.

In 2020, Violet Edwards was elected to the Madison County Commission for District 6, and she took the torch and assumed the leadership of sustainment and progression for the center.  She procured 21.53 acres of land adjoining the center’s property to enlarge the campus’ footprint, bringing the total acreage to approximately 48 acres.

“Before I came here for the first time, I was told it was a magical place,” Violet said. “And you know what, it was true. From the minute you walk through the front door, there is no depression or sadness but there is friendship and fellowship.”

Anyone living in District 6 qualifies for free transportation to and from the center, all that’s required is a stop by the center’s front desk to get on the list.

The District 6 boundaries are primarily North Central Urban District that includes Alabama A&M. Primarily Governors Drive and University Drive, north on Rideout Road to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Highway, Bob Wade Lane to the north and then south along the Alabama A&M University ridge to Meridian Street to Holmes Avenue

Wellness center members are allowed to bring guests, age 40 and older, who must sign a waiver each visit and pay a $5 fee. They must sign a waiver and pay $5.00 for each visit.

Deitrick said anyone interested in more information may call 256-519-2040, or email harrisoncenter@madisoncountyal.gov