Belleville’s Community Ed and Rec Programs See Resurgence Following COVID Pandemic

As spring approaches and we are almost through our 2022-23 academic year, it is amazing to see so many programs return to the “normal” of pre-COVID attendance.  One of those areas worth noting is Belleville’s Community Education and Recreation program.  Not only have we seen more scheduled offerings for their Winter/Spring course line-up, we are enjoying an uptick in community participation as well.

Wayne Fell, Belleville’s Community Education/Recreation Director, notes, “Post COVID numbers are recovering after a tough return to normal for all the offered classes.  There is still some hesitation by the older population to participate in some of our activities, but that too is getting better as time passes.”

Belleville’s Community Ed and Rec has a strong foundation to build back its program as folks are excited to come together and learn again.  There is a deep need to fill a community engagement piece, and classes are filled with young and old alike who just are looking for some way locally to get out and continue to learn and expand upon an interest they want to foster.  From yoga, art, curling, skiing opportunities, open gym for adults or just finding a friend to walk with, Belleville has made many unique classroom and activity opportunities possible for all ages this year.  The community is also rich with instructors who have creative ideas and are willing to share their subject knowledge.  As its director, Wayne Fell has done a wonderful job of seeking individuals out who are willing to teach and share.

There are many who have extended their expertise to this community-based educational organization this school year, like the Alpine Curling Club, Tyrol Basin, and Yoga Instructor Jennifer Sween – just to name a few.  Sween is a longtime supporter of Belleville’s Community Education and Recreation.  Under Fell’s direction, she offered a unique pathway through COVID for many community members to continue, as she found ways to teach virtually in the midst of the COVID shut-downs.

This year, Director Fell commends Sween for her work during the pandemic, “Slow Flow and Strength Building Yoga program, taught by Sween, has been one of our most well-attended classes.  It has run year-round since the fall of 2017.  This was one of the few classes that ran non-stop through the pandemic, by holding the class virtually.”

As I write this article, I’m delighted to share that upon Mr. Fell’s request, I have also enjoyed sharing my work as a professional artist as a teacher in the Community Ed and Rec program this year in addition to the “hat” I wear as the Communications Director for the School District of Belleville.  My recent pastel art class had eleven students, whose ages ranged from fifth grade to retired adults, who were looking to expand their knowledge of this amazing and traditional medium.  In my case, it was a fantastic experience to share my 30 years of expertise as a professional artist and published children’s book writer and illustrator with the Belleville community with wonderfully talented and engaged students who wanted to learn more.

“The class Learning the Art of Pastel has been very well received by community members both young and old.  It is great to have local artist Marie Fritz Perry show her many artistic talents to the community through different art media,” says Fell.

On the heels of what we hope is now a manageable time as we exist with COVID, seeing educational opportunities pop-up through programs like Belleville’s Community Education and Recreation is both exciting and hopeful.  Community Education and Recreation gives its community members a unique opportunity to come together, be engaged over a common interest, and become life-long learners.  Have a talent to share?  It’s never too late to become a teacher and share your passions with like-minded folks!