Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident urges return of community ballroom dances to aid seniors' health
Summary
Joan Wapner, a 25-year Encinitas resident, urged commissioners to reinstate the city’s monthly ballroom dances for seniors, cited health benefits and recommended keeping costs low to restore participation.
Joan Wapner addressed the commission during oral communications to urge the return of city-sponsored monthly ballroom dances at the Encinitas Community Center.
Wapner, who said she has lived in Encinitas for 25 years and has danced for longer, described the event’s prior popularity when live bands and a $5 admission drew full houses. She told the commission that changes in pricing and residency fees reduced attendance from roughly 70 people to as few as seven and led the program to be discontinued.
Wapner said organized partner dancing—distinct from line dancing—supports cognitive health, balance, and social connection for seniors and suggested restoring the program at a lower fee and without full meal service ("maybe just an ice cream bar") to encourage participation.
Staff acknowledged the role that senior programming plays in community health but did not provide a citation for the specific health statistic Wapner cited during her remarks.
The commission noted public comment but did not take immediate action; commissioners suggested following up through staff or incorporating the idea into the work plan or programming discussions.
