Ellwood City Family Center Hosting “Clinics”, Grand Opening Celebration

If you are dreading winter, wondering what you’ll do to stay active, and where you can have the space to do some of the same activities you enjoy in the fall, spring, and summer … have no fear. The Ellwood City Area Family Center is opening its doors once again.

John Dibuono, community resident and physical education teacher for 27 years at Lincoln High School, is taking over as the new director.

“I’ve been using the Ellwood area family center for a long time and understand how important it is to the community. I used to work at the Beaver County YMCA and ran youth sports programs there which gave me the idea that I could possibly run some programs for the Family Center.”

So, after its closing in May of 2023, Dibuono made it a point to work toward reopening it.

He is hosting some “clinics” leading up to the BIG Grand Opening Celebration. They include:

• Tomorrow, Tuesday, October 10, from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. FREE Indoor Pickleball Clinic for beginners ages 55 plus. Refreshments will be served.
• Wednesday, October 11, from 5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. FREE Indoor Bocce Clinic. Ages 55 plus. Refreshments will be served.

The Family Center will be hosting its Grand Opening celebration Saturday, October 14, from noon to 3 p.m. All in the community are invited and welcome to attend. There will be a tour of the facility and an orientation of programs available through the Center.

“Hopefully looking to eventually add a few more classes or two for seniors in the morning. For now, I am just trying to get the ball rolling.”

To start, some of the programs will include:

• Walkie, Talkie, Bocce from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Monday-Friday; Cost is $1 per participant.
• Toddler Time from 10:30 to 11:45 Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; Cost is $3 per family. (toddlers aged 2 to 5 and parent required to attend with toddler. Toys included in toddler time).
• 55 Plus Pickleball from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays; Cost is $3 (there will be three courts set up).
• Open gym for junior high and high school students, and use of the game rooms including foosball, ping pong, pool, and air hockey from 3 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday-Friday; Cost is $3 a student.
• Private use after 4:15 where groups and organizations can rent the gym including school teams. Charge to rent is $40 per hour.

Dibuono said the Center will also hosting birthday parties on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“If no parties are going on, people can still rent the facilities for other events. The cost is $160 for four hours and includes the entire facility.”

For those not familiar with the Family Center, it houses a basketball court sized gym and an area at the top with tables and chairs that accommodates about 30 to 35 people. The art club has used it for many years.

To reserve the gym, book a party or for more information call the Center at 724-201-0400 or reach out to Dibuono at dibuono@zoominternet.net.

“Soon we will have a Facebook page and website that will feature our events, classes, etc.”

He is planning on adding other events along the way like a volleyball night where people can come play pickup volleyball. He is also open to suggestions and is thankful to the former director for running it for so many years prior to him taking over on Oct. 1.

“I do want to thank Emrika Coccia the former director for running it for the past so many years. She has helped so many people and different organizations. It is not a simple task, taking in consideration all the different activities and events that are possible at the facility.”

Dibuono hopes that community members will take advantage of the facility and he looks forward to the future of it. He has two sons, Anthony who is a freshman at Duquesne University and Dominic who is a sophomore at Lincoln High school, so he knows the value of a place where youth can participate in activities.

“For kids in Ellwood, it’s the best place for them to go in Ellwood without going out of town.”