Marion Council on Aging to use tent for in-person programming

Mar 17, 2021

MARION — A heated tent outside the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center will host in-person senior exercise classes starting April 1, according to a Council on Aging discussion at a March 16 Selectmen Meeting.

Classes including yoga, strength and conditioning, meditation, memory loss support and memory cafe, will be held in the heated tent, according to Marion Town Administrator Jay McGrail. Zumba classes, which typically draw small numbers, will be held inside the Center.

“They kind of need to do Zumba on a rug, rather than on asphalt,” he said.

Dr. Edward Hoffer, Chairperson on the Marion Board of Health, was satisfied with covid measures outlined, according to McGrail. Participants will be masked and socially-distanced, in compliance with covid prevention measures.

Vaccination certificates will not be required to participate, but vice-chairman John Waterman recommended that the Council on Aging encourage seniors to be vaccinated prior to attending classes.

“I think it’s really good for our seniors,” McGrail said. “They’re really itching to be able to get out of the house.”

“This is an opportunity for them to kind of start to get back to normal life a little bit.”