Walking to work every day - and living in Caldwell for 19 years - is one reason why Rob Paterson loves his job at the Caldwell Community Center.
At the weekly meeting of the Kiwanis Club, Paterson described some of the changes he's made since he took on the position of director one year ago, in May.
The Kiwanis Club of the Caldwells - West Essex, a local not-for-profit organization with deep roots in the area, recently donated a money to help build a popular rock climbing wall at the center. Paterson brought some Community Center news to the members. The club meets weekly, on Tuesdays at noon at the Cloverleaf Tavern, and welcomes not only speakers but also visitors who wish to learn more about the club.
"I have been in the fitness business since I was 18," he said. "It was the only field I was ever in. It's probably been one of the most rewarding things I've ever done, and the hardest thing."
Growth has been a hot topic at the center, and Paterson has paved the way with new programs geared towards an eclectic group of members.
"The best part about it is being able to see the change in people's lives and faces," said Paterson. "When I started last May, children under 16 were not allowed in without an adult. If we're going to make this a community center we will make everybody feel welcome."
Paterson said he decided to switch things up at the center, and truly re-create it as a 'community' center. Now, teens attend - free of charge - on Teen nights, where they can enjoy the pool, activities and their friends at the Caldwell Community Center.
As a parent, Paterson said he really knows the facility has made it, since one teenager near and dear to him - his son - let him know in a totally modern may that the center had "arrived". His son, texting his freinds. called it "the Center" and with that one word moniker, established the relevance of a spot once so irrelevant to teenagers.
Joking, Paterson said his son let him know that the Community Center was happening, but not to let it go to his head.
"He said to me, "Dad the Community Center is cool - you never will be," said Paterson.
As per income, he said, "Last year was the first time in 8 years revenue went up in the community centre and this year it will be up."
Some of the changes he described include programs for a wide variety of people in the community.
Teen night is offered first Saturday of every month.
Now, a team comprised of children who are in a "Special Olympics" swim team are in the pool, assisted with one-on-one volunteers including some dedicated high school kids.
There is now swimming program for people with stroke and Parkinson's Disease.
A new rock wall lines the wall in the large gymnasium.
Camps have been launched for children during school breaks, and new activities have been added to the summer camps.
"We have now the second biggest team in Special Olympics in North Jersey now," he noted.
And, these young swimmers include children who are on the Autistic spectrum.
The newest thing Paterson is excited about is the temporary training of Seeing Eye Dogs at the center, since the one in Fairfield needs work done to its roof.
Referring to the Special Olympics team, Paterson connected the dots between volunteers, the children on the team, and the community at large.
"I'm not talking to just adult volunteers," he said. "I'm talking to volunteers who are 14 year old Cyclone girls, who are swimmers. They are so attached they are shadowing these kids, who can now go to camp because they've developed such a bond, Not only are we helping these kids, i think we are also helping our kids learn what its like to give back and how rewarding it is to give back to the community."
