Amy Xu,13, left, and her sister Ellie, 9, practice pool at Potomac Community Recreation Center Friday. Photo by Peggy McEwan
Newcomers to the Potomac area, meet the Potomac Community Recreation Center. One frequent visitor called the Recreation Center “the most happening place in the County.”
Pam Yerg, President of Friends of the Potomac Community Center, agrees.
“I think it is the most active community center in Montgomery County,” she said. “There are 200 center-based recreation programs serving 60,000 Potomac neighbors. It’s amazing how many programs they offer, for both young and old.”
The Fall Montgomery County Guide lists 47 classes for Potomac Community Recreation Center, but there is actually more happening in the space on Falls Road that once housed an elementary school. Civic groups hold meetings there and it is home of an Active Adult Program for those 55 and older that meets Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Yerg said she thinks the most popular program is Tai Chi.
“Pickleball is really popular, Bone Builders is really popular, and the Fitness Center is always packed – it’s well-equipped,” she said.
Then she remembered the Club Friday program for school aged children.
“It gives kids an opportunity to have socialization, music, activities and games and a safe place to gather,” she said.
Potomac Community Center is one of 21 recreation centers in the county, and like the others, offers a variety of programs for all ages. It is also a place to just drop in and participate in a favorite activity.
Bernie said she comes to the center almost every day, Monday through Friday. “I like to play ping pong,” she said. “That’s why I come here all the time.” There are two ping pong tables in the main lobby of the center. It’s first come first serve for their use, Bernie explained, but play time is limited when others are waiting. The center recently hosted the Maryland Senior Olympics ping pong games.
There are also pool tables, along with a seating area, a television and coin operated rides for little children.
Amy Xu, 13, and her sister Ellie, 9, were playing pool for only the second time on Friday. Their first time was Thursday.
Amy said she wanted to learn the game because some of her friends play, and she would like to join them.
Ellie was there to help with moral support.
Other parts of the center include two large meeting rooms and a gym, plus a health club and two classrooms.
The Potomac Community Recreation Center will celebrate its 30th anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 6. Visit the center’s website www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/facilities/recreationcenters/potomac.html for information as the date nears.
Potomac Community Recreation Center is located at 11315 Falls Road. Call 240-777-6960
Hours of operation are Monday to Thursday: from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Celebrating the Center’s 30 Years
Message from Friends of the Center
On Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, from 2 - 6 p.m., The Potomac Community Center will celebrate its 30 year Anniversary: PCC Celebrates Community. We hope you will join us in recognizing the years of commitment to our community shown by the estimated 200 center-based Montgomery County Recreation programs, Club Friday, Summer Camps and Recreation Leagues, and countless public and private events provided every year to 60,000+ Potomac neighbors.
This HUGE Celebration on Oct. 6 will feature exciting interactive demos and activities that showcase the many sports and recreational programs that PCC provides, as well as fun, festival activities such as a bounce house, obstacle course and bounce slide, touch a truck, petting zoo, carnival games, fabulous music with live bands and DJ.
The event is FREE as a thank you from the Potomac Community Center to our friends and neighbors and is sponsored by “Friends of the PCC” – a non-profit advisory board composed of volunteers from our community dedicated to the success of PCC in serving our neighbors. Food and commemorative tee shirts will be available for purchase.
To assure the success of this event we need sponsors to help support the costs involved in putting on this event.
Please consider making a donation in one of the following levels, or consider making an in-kind or other donation to assist us in providing food and prizes. contact “Friends” President Pam Yerg at jeyclan@verizon.net