But as the times have changed, so too has the need and use for the Rec Center. Over the years the space has been used for everything from YAAC and community meetings, Minnewaska Area Afterschool School Enrichment program students, adult basic education and for occasional birthday parties and meetings. While the MFW space will continue to be used for a variety of purposes, the Rec Center is in essence evolving to meet the current needs of today’s generation of children, including a rising rate of childhood obesity.

"It is wonderful to see the community adapt to fit the changing needs of youth," said Hannah Shirkey, another past YAAC member, in a release. "Our generation needed a safe, fun place to hang out in the evenings on weekends. This current generation needs a healthy place to learn about fitness and be active after school."

Moving into the Rec Center space, owned by Star Lanes owners Darryl and Roger Larson earlier this month, Salonen said the MWF will continue to provide services and programs for children at the facility. She said one of the big reasons for the move is to "try to get children and families involved in wellness and fitness."

Over the next few months, the partnership will provide a variety of events targeted to select age groups. Though the gym will remain open to the public during the events, the time set aside will give children and families a chance to work out with people of a similar age and skill level. For instance on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s until the middle of December, there will be a "Fit Kids" program in which kids ages 9-12 will be led through a 30 minute workout routine. Later in the night, there will be a "Fit Teens".

This program targeted at those from 12-15 years old. Each Monday night at the Starbuck MWF, there will be a family fitness time from 6:30-7:30 p.m., where children and adults can work out together. All of the programs are free to the public, both members and non members of the gym.

Minnewaska Area Schools will also headquarter one of its Afterschool Enrichment Program classes for the 3rd " 6th graders at the former Rec Center to teach kids a way to eat healthy snacks and provide them with a fitness program. The first afterschool class was held on Sept. 16 and taught by Hannah Shirkey who showed kids how to properly use some of the equipment at the gym.

In addition to the expanded list of offerings for younger children and families, Salonen said moving MWF to the Rec Center will allow gym members young and old more flexibility in when they will be able to go to the gym. Instead of being open just a few hours each day, MWF will be open to gym members throughout the day without interruption. Meaning not only will the move potentially help children, but could help adults who were having a hard time fitting working out into an already busy schedule.

While the overall goal of the Rec Center of providing area children a safe place to play will remain the same, Pederson said the opportunity to not only give children a chance to play, but be fit, couldn’t have come at a better time.

"The timing could not have been better," she said. "We are so fortunate to be able to partner with Tammy and Minnewaska Wellness and Fitness in Starbuck. It fits into the Minnewaska on the Move effort that the Minnewaska Area Schools, Pope County Public Health and Community have been promoting for the past year and a half while also partnering on child/youth and family activities with the Glacial Ridge Fitness Center and Curves.

"It will be great to have YAAC alums visit the space and now use it as young adults. I hope they take pride in knowing that their vision of providing a safe and healthy gathering place for youth lives on.