By ROD LEE

In this, its 100th-anniversary year, the Whitin Community Center has demonstrated an ability to stand the test of time. It would be easy to assume, then, that the sturdy, low-slung brick structure and grounds on Main Street, just west of Memorial Square, have never experienced challenging moments.

 Alice Bridges of Uxbridge trained in the Whitin Community Center pool and competed in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.

In fact, just the opposite is true, the WCC’s executive director, Heather Elster, pointed out during a conversation in the main lobby of the building on March 21st.

Most recently, “the Gym,” as the facility is called in local parlance—just as the former Whitin Machine Works, across the street, is referred to, affectionately, as “the Shop”—underwent a struggle as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Closed for several months and with each of its departments facing their “own set of regulations” in dealing with the crisis, the Community Center was knocked off its firm foothold.

“At one point we were down to 30% of our membership,” Ms. Elster said.

“We received PPP loans in partnership with UniBank” in surviving the ordeal, she said.

The Community Center has clawed its way back, as it did after a devastating fire in 1959.

“We always say the Whitins built it very well,” she said.

A plaque recognizing George Marston Whitin hangs in the lobby.

Approaching two decades with the Community Center, and nearly ten years as executive director, Ms. Elster has proven to be a worthy successor (after two other short-termers) to Charlie Thompson. A small-town Connecticut girl and graduate of Connecticut College in New London, she brings to the position of executive director the same commitment that guided Mr. Thompson’s actions in establishing himself as a pillar on the business scene in the Blackstone Valley.

Ms. Elster has utilized her employment and outside-activities background to move the Community Center forward with a mix of social, recreational, educational and outreach programs designed to meet the needs of residents of all ages in the Blackstone Valley. The competition pool was done over, the Rockdale Youth Center was opened (“our first big project”), roofs were replaced, and flooring in the child-care rooms was upgraded.

Her resume is extensive. She is a co-founder of Soccer Kicks for Cancer, a member of the Northbridge Coalition (civil rights and social action), part of the leadership team of the Blackstone River Bikeway Association, on the executive steering committee for the town of Sutton’s 300th anniversary, part of a Sutton-Douglas support group, part of People First in Uxbridge, a member of CHNA 6 (a community health network) and a member of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Success Network—for instance.

She is a recipient of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women Unsung Heroine Award, and has been recognized as a Worcester Business Journal 40-under-40.

Overseeing the operations of the Community Center is the best job in the world, she says.

“I love working here. It’s nice to be part of the community. We should feel grateful we’re still here after one hundred years.”

In observance of its milestone, the Community Center will host a 100th Anniversary Fundraiser Gala on May 6th. Appropriately, this black tie-optional sit-down event will take place in the WCC gymnasium and will include cocktails, dinner, dancing, a live auction, a commemorative photo gallery and more.

The gym is being renovated for the occasion. “It hasn’t been touched since the fire in ʼ59,” she said. At a cost of $250,000, repairs will be made and the floor will be replaced.

“We will do AC in there for the first time,” she noted; though not in time for the Gala.

The Gala headlines a series of happenings associated with the anniversary. These began with a Kids Fair and Eggstravaganza on April 1st.

Following the Gala in early May, on Saturday, June 10th, “we are bringing back Picnic in the Park,” Ms. Elster said. “It’s been over ten years since we had it. This should be fun,” restoring to the calendar “a favorite,” with food trucks, a dunk tank, carnival games, a doll and pet parade, vendors, “and maybe foam!”

On July 21st and 22nd, the WCC’s free Youth Outreach Summer Theatre student-led production will take place at ValleyCast’s Singh Performance Center at Open Sky.

Cars in the Park will take center stage on Saturday, August 19th in Whitin Park.

The WCC’s Benefit Golf Tournament is planned for Monday, September 11th. That same month, on the 30th, features the Greenway Challenge, one of New England’s premier adventure races.

The month of October includes a Halloween Haunted Swim & Roller Skating Costume Party on the 20th and “Nightmare on Main St.” on the 27th. The former includes a kids open swim with Halloween music and pool toys and a kids open skate with Halloween costumes and music. The WCC’s “Nightmare on Man Street” returns on the 27th in Whitin Park, which will be transformed into a spooky outdoor haunted trail for middle schoolers and up. There will be food trucks and goodie bags.

A WCC Appreciation, thanking “our hundreds of volunteers, donors, sponsors, members, guests and staff,” will wrap up 100th festivities on Thursday, November 16th.

But there’s more. “Santa’s coming” on Saturday, December 9th.

Sidetracked temporarily by the pandemic, the Whitin Community Center has maintained its focus on health and wellness as “the most complete family and recreation facility” in the area with two swimming pools, a gym, a fitness center, early-learning programs, a weight room, summer camps and a seven and a half acre park.

The Community Center owes its heritage to George Marston Whitin, treasurer and CEO of the Whitin Machine Works from 1886 to 1920. Mr. Whitin prized service to community. He planned construction of a place where residents of the region could swim and socialize.

After G.M. Marston’s death his daughters Elsa, Katharine, Lois and Elsa provided the funding that saw his vision through to completion of the gym and pool. During the 1920s and 1930s the WCC was known for its excellent aquatic program and served as a regional training site. Several local swimmers went on to compete nationally and internationally including Alice Bridges of Uxbridge, who finished second in the 100-meter backstroke in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. 

Contact Rod Lee at [email protected] or 774-232-2999.