A HISTORY OF SERVICE AND GROWTH

FiftyNorth, located in the Northfield Community Resource Center (NCRC), offers one of Minnesota’s most wide-ranging programs for those 50 and older—everything from aerobic training, art, and aquacise to lifelong learning, pinocle, music, theater, travel, and yoga. 

FiftyNorth began simply—with the recognition in the 1970s that area residents 50 and older needed and deserved to have assistive and enrichment services of various kinds. A city bond was passed to purchase a former church on the corner of Woodley and Division Streets, a services coordinator was hired, the Community Action Center (CAC) opened the Leisure Lounge and Senior Dining, and the United Way subsidized costs for food that the Lions Club picked up at a local restaurant and delivered.

By 1986, these programs were so popular that members began raising money for a bigger facility. In 1997, the idea of the Northfield Community Resource Center (NCRC) was born, a facility that would be shared by a consortium of non-profits. Land near the high school, our present location, was donated for this purpose, and the city held a bond referendum for $2.2 million to help underwrite its construction. The referendum was passed by a vote of 5:1. Each of the groups to be housed at the NCRC contributed funds to the effort; Northfield Senior Citizens, Inc. (NSC) gave over $1.3 million to build the warm water pool, the wellness center, hot tub, and locker rooms.

The new building, dedicated in 2000, enabled NSC membership and programming to grow further. In 2009 the organization leased additional space, including the commercial kitchen. This allowed them to contract with SEMCAC (Southeastern Minnesota Citizens Action Council) to manage a congregate dining program. Groups formed to boost fitness and fun activities such as biking and Nordic walking, bowling and softball. Ensembles enabled members to continue enjoying making music with others. A travel committee organized trips to area cultural, historic, and sports happenings and to places farther afield such as New Ulm and Duluth.

Things weren’t popping only at 1651 Jefferson Parkway. In 2018, down in Northfield’s Bridge Square, the iconic Popcorn Wagon operated by NSC volunteers turned 100! The Popcorn Wagon and the Used-a-Bit Shoppe several blocks away bolster the Center’s bottom line, selling fresh popcorn and good used and vintage household goods and furniture. 

As the World Turns

The Senior Center changed its name to FiftyNorth in 2018. Membership continued to grow, passing 2,000 in 2023. The parking lot was filled to overflowing numerous times a day, and the Future Planning Committee began to study options for expansion. In 2020, following listening sessions with members, staff, and community members, a steering committee made up of representatives from the City of Northfield (owner of the NCRC building) and of the partner organizations selected a firm to draw up plans for use of space within the building, including expansion for FiftyNorth. FiftyNorth began raising money to contribute to paying for a walking track, a space to better accommodate activities such as pickleball and table tennis, and an improved lobby and café area. 

And Then... 

The COVID-19 pandemic hit Minnesota in March of 2020, and the governor mandated the closing of recreation and fitness centers. FiftyNorth closed March 13, reopened June 29, closed November 20 in accordance with state guidelines, and reopened with restrictions on December 28. The staff pivoted to creating online programming for fitness, arts, and lifelong learning, tackling the tasks of acquiring necessary technology and expertise and developing new teaching modes. Online classes proved very popular (it continues to be offered as a part of FiftyNorth’s programming), and membership numbers rebounded. In 2022, a capital campaign to raise funds for the planned refurbishment and expansion kicked off. On September 15, Kerry Hjelmgren became the Center’s third Executive director. 

The Best Laid Plans...

During the pandemic the priorities of the Northfield City Council changed, shifting to an emphasis on a multimillion-dollar reimagining of the downtown area and the city’s recreational and park resources, of which FiftyNorth’s fitness facilities are considered a part. The rehabilitation and expansion of FiftyNorth was pushed to 2030—or beyond. As the city reconsiders and refines its plans, the staff and board members continue to educate council members and others about the importance of supporting Northfield’s aging population. We are working to find innovative ways to expand and improve our services to those in the Northfield area who are 50 years old and older. Off-site in-person fitness programming is now being offered at several local senior living facilities. Grants and targeted fundraising efforts have enabled us to improve outdoor recreational areas (Giant chess, anyone? Cornhole? Gardening?). Upgrading and expanding our sauna and locker room facilities, reconfiguring the lobby to aid check-ins and conversation over coffee and popcorn, and building a larger ADA accessible sauna are next on our to-do list!