This piece was originally only going to announce the new collaboration between the Mt. Airy Learning Tree and the Water Tower Recreation Center, but when I started to write, it became clear that this collaboration was emblematic of many ongoing changes at our beloved community institution. 

During the last few years, there have been several notable improvements to the Water Tower facilities, and these improvements are continuing, along with additional programming, new staff and an invigorated advisory council. I realized that what is occurring at the recreation center is nothing short of a Water Tower renaissance, and that it is real, robust and ongoing.

But first, back to the MALT collaboration. Since 1980, Mt. Airy Learning Tree has grown to become one of the largest adult learning programs in the city and currently offers over 700 classes with 160 instructors to more than 3,800 students each year. It has fall, winter and spring terms and holds classes at locations throughout Northwest Philadelphia. The classes bring adults of all ages together through engaging educational and recreational activities.

Our collaboration began in January with a single salsa class taught by Himasha Gunasekara from Flaco's Dance Factory in Jenkintown. Its success allowed the Water Tower to offer six courses for the spring term, which begins April 15. These courses range from You Can Do a Cartwheel, to Teen Comic Book Creations, to Learn to Play Chess, Beginning Salsa (again) and Bachata for Singles and Couples.

The Water Tower has now become the 33rd MALT location, and we intend to keep expanding MALT offerings at the rec center. The classes typically run on either Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays from about 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and registration is through the MALT website: mtairylearningtree.org. And remember, there are also MALT classes listed under the Family and Kids/Teens sections which are specifically designed for younger adults and families. MALT hopes to offer more of these classes at the Water Tower in the future.

The MALT collaboration is just the latest in a number of significant improvements both inside and outside the Water Tower. In a previous edition, the Local reported a $2.2 million renovation to the exterior of the building that is funded through the city of Philadelphia. This project, which started in March, will see the repair or replacement of all windows and exterior doors, the repair and repointing of all stonework, including the front steps, lintels and terra cotta, installation of new exterior lighting and improvements to the building's drainage system. We hope to see this work completed by the end of the year.

A couple of years ago, in an effort led by the Chestnut Hill Youth Sports Club, the outside basketball court was completely rebuilt. It now boasts an entirely new surface, new plexiglass backboards, posts and rims, and features new yellow fence top safety pads. It has become so popular that there is often a wait time to play.

Inside, Advisory Council volunteers and rec center staff have cleaned out, cleaned up and opened new activity/meeting rooms. We hope to soon add new weightlifting equipment to our weight room. There is now a dedicated cardio exercise room with new treadmills, elliptical machines and exercise bicycles – all without any gym fees or membership dues.

We have updated our second-floor kitchen with two new refrigerators and a better food preparation area. In the not-too-distant future, we hope to offer cooking classes through MALT in this space. We have recently reopened two basement bathrooms after long closures. Later this year, in a long overdue refresh, the Advisory Council will repair and repaint the ceiling in the gymnastics room of our award-winning gymnastics program.

We recently welcomed two new part-time staff members, Melissa D'Agostino and Florence “Flo” Darell DeBose, who join recreation supervisor Charles “Chuck” Christman in managing the facility and assisting with programming. Most importantly, the new hires will allow for expanded programming at the rec center. For example, we have initiated recreational programs especially for children who are neurodivergent (autism spectrum disorder, ADHD) or have other learning disabilities.

We are not resting on our laurels either. Later this spring, the asphalt path from Ardleigh Street to the ball fields will be replaced and improved as part of the wildly successful Light Up the Water Tower project. The project, entirely led by the Advisory Council and neighborhood volunteers, has over the past few years brought new lighting, landscaping, a bench and railing, improved pathways and a restoration of the veterans memorial to the upper park area of the Water Tower. We hope the final piece of the project, replacing the curbs on Ardleigh Street and installing corner handicapped ramps and traffic bollards, will begin before long. Take a stroll down to the actual Water Tower on a summer night and enjoy the transformation of this wonderful space in the heart of Chestnut Hill.

We hope by this fall to welcome Philly Tutors to the Water Tower to provide after-school tutoring services for students of all ages. In addition, there are plans by the Chestnut Hill Youth Sports Club to install a sprinkler system for the Water Tower ball fields; efforts by the Advisory Council to revive the ceramics program at the center, a proposal to determine the feasibility of a skate park at the site, and obtaining a raised, traffic-calming crosswalk to increase pedestrian safety between the tennis courts and the front of the Water Tower.

Looking to the future, the Advisory Council hopes to refurbish the playground and spray park and someday have a walking path created around the perimeter of the center's grounds.

Finally, and most importantly, all the accomplishments at the Water Tower and plans for the future would not be possible without the dedicated members of the Advisory Council and the neighborhood volunteers who make everything possible. The outpouring of support is both humbling and energizing. 

The Advisory Council meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m., and all are welcome to come and participate. So join us and be part of the renaissance at the Water Tower!

Craig Hosay is vice president of the board at the Water Tower Recreation Center in Chestnut Hill.