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Recreation
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City of Roswell
P.O. Drawer 1838
Roswell, NM 88202-1838
(505) 624-6700
Fax: 624-6889 |
THE LEISURE INCIDENT
Chapter Ten - The Roswell Adult Center
March 16, 2026
By Kim Elliott, CLP
Recreation Director
City of Roswell
An article entitled "Winning Support for Parks and Recreation" as seen in the
New Yorker Magazine has this quote. "Parks and recreation support lovers,
mourners, learners, movers, and changers. It is an amenity with all the characteristics of
a necessity."
There is that word "necessity" again. It seems like a lot of people
view Parks and Recreation as a necessity. Probably the users of the Roswell Adult Center
would agree.
Walking into the Roswell Adult Center, 807 N. Missouri, what does one see? One sees
lovers, mourners, learners, movers, and changers! This is typical of the types of people
that come to the "RAC" as it is affectionately called. These are the types of
people that help to make the RAC the great success that it is, and has been, in the
community for many years.
How did this happen?
In the late 60’s, Roswell was becoming known as a great place to retire. Roswell
had a wonderful climate and reasonably priced real estate. The need soon existed for a
leisure program for older adults. This need was met in what was then called the
Hospitality House at 1101 W. Fourth where the current Parks and Recreation administrative
offices are located.
Coffee and cookies were offered each guest or visitor. Card games, puzzles, piano
music, bingo and newspapers were available for all to use and enjoy. Volunteer "Host
and Hostesses" were present to assist the participants. The program was a great
success.
It was soon realized that the Hospitality House was not large enough for a full program
of leisure activities to serve the community.
The Chaves County Memorial Youth Center had the space during the day and some programs
were moved to 807 N. Missouri where the adults began to share the facility with the youth.
The space problem was solved by deciding to move the youth program to the old Yucca School
which is now the Yucca Recreation Center in December 1974. All adult activities were then
moved into the Memorial Youth Center in January 1975 which was renamed the Memorial
Recreation Center and later the Roswell Adult Center. As a result of tremendous growth and
the popularity of the center, an addition was built on the facility in 1977 with a second
addition being added in 1984.
Joseph Lee made a profound statement when he said, "We do not cease playing
because we are old; we grow old because we cease playing." Users of the RAC would
say the same!
During 1997, over 150 classes were offered to the community with @1,400 students
registered. Approximately fifty (50) community organizations meet at the RAC on a regular
basis and @40 different groups rented the facility. The RAC was used 81,000 times by over
4,000 different individuals during the year. People at the RAC are active!
In addition to the classes and regular meetings scheduled, current programming at the
RAC includes the Chaves County Senior Olympics which is coordinated through the Center,
the award winning Lifelong Scholar and Hobby Show, award winning Armchair Travelers
program, Christmas Gift Fair, October Fall Fair and other programs. Programs at the Center
are mainly administered by the many center volunteers and facilitated by staff. Diane
Holdson is the Recreation Supervisor at the RAC.
One of the misconceptions that people have concerning the Roswell Adult Center has to
do with the name. The name was changed several years ago to more accurately reflect the
users - adults! The RAC is not a senior center, even though a large percentage of the
users are retirees. Any person over the age of eighteen (18) is welcome at the RAC, many
do participate.
"No man is a failure who is enjoying life." This statement by William
Feather describes those who use the Roswell Adult Center. Life is enjoyed just a little
better because of the Roswell Adult Center.
Parks and Recreation - the benefits are endless! Be a lover, mourner, learner, mover,
and a changer! If you are an adult, maybe you should be looking at the Roswell Adult
Center for your leisure time needs.
Parks and Recreation - The Benefits are Endless...TM
