Cooper Center FAQs

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

What is the Cooper Center for Active Living?

The Cooper Center for Active Living is a dynamic community space designed for older adults that spans three floors and 33,000 square feet. The building has classroom space for programs and events, an art and ceramics room, gymnasium with pickleball and basketball courts, game room with pool tables, large deck, commercial kitchen, public lounge areas to connect with friends and socialize with neighbors and an indoor walking track suspended above the gym with large windows looking out onto Newton.

Where is the Cooper Center?

When is the Cooper Center for Active Living opening?

What is NewCAL, is it different than the Cooper Center?

What are the hours of operation?

How much does it cost to be a member of the Cooper Center?

What is a Cooper Card, and do I need one?

A Cooper Card is a key tag that can be obtained from the Older Adult Services Department that is used when visiting the building. There are touch screens opposite the front desk and we ask that you scan your key tag when you visit and push the activities you are participating in. This allows us to track what programs and activities are popular or what may need to be added or changed. If you are only participating in a Recreation, Parks and Culture program that you have preregistered for, you do not need a card or to scan in, but you are welcome to sign up for one if you would like.

What is there to do at the Cooper Center?

So many things! There are several lounge areas on every floor of the building, a reading room that has books as well as tables to work at, public computers, fireplace with couches, puzzle table, a game room with card tables and pool tables, an art room with an additional ceramics room, a deck that runs the full length of the front of the building, a walking track suspended above a full gymnasium and classrooms that will host programs such as fitness, lectures, special events, and recreation, and cultural programs.

Will there be food available for purchase at the Cooper Center?

Are there volunteer opportunities at the Cooper Center?

Where can I park when I visit the Cooper Center?

There are 31 parking spaces at the rear of the Cooper Center, 45 spaces on Highland Avenue available for residents with an OA Parker Sticker, and 119 spaces available in metered spaces at the Austin Street parking lot, as well as street parking throughout Newtonville. For more information on the OA Parking Sticker program visit the OAS website www.newtonma.gov/government/seniors/general-services/senior-parking-sticker.

Does the Cooper Center have a pool?

Will there be pool tables?

What will happen to the Older Adult Services classes that have been at the Hyde Community Center during the transition from the old senior center?

OAS has enjoyed being in Newton Highlands while we waited for the new Cooper Center to open. We understand that residents have become accustomed to classes being located at the Hyde Community Center. The Hyde Community Center is an independent nonprofit facility. After scheduling is completed for the Cooper Center, the Hyde Center will decide if there are classes that will also remain at that location.

How does the Cooper Center Gym compare to the Hyde Gym where OAS fitness classes have been taking place for the last few years?

Will there be spaces community members can rent at the Cooper Center?

Is there a social day program at the Cooper Center?

What is a social day program?

Will there be a Durable Medical Equipment loan program at the Cooper Center?

What is a DME loan program?

Often cities have a program that loans durable medical equipment to residents. Durable medical equipment is items such as wheelchairs, walkers, rollators, shower chairs, etc. These items are often needed for a short period of time after surgery, or to try out equipment to see if it is worth purchasing for the long term, or a resident might be attending a graduation or family event, and the family may need to borrow a transport wheelchair for the day of the event.

Can I use GoGo Newton to get to the Cooper Center?

Yes, you can use GoGo Newton to travel anywhere in Newton. Rides prices vary based on the time of day and location but rides to the Cooper Center are $2.00 each way to and from Newton addresses for residents who are registered for GoGo Newton as long as the budget will support it. The discounted $2.00 rides to and from Cooper do not count toward any subsidy or trip cap you may have with your GoGo Newton plan. You can find more information on how to register for GoGo Newton on the Planning Department website, www.newtonma.gov/government/planning/gogo

Is there an easy area where I can wait for my ride or be for dropped off at the Cooper Center?

Are there bike racks at the Cooper Center?

What will happen to the house behind the Cooper Center?

What is OAS?

OAS is short of Older Adult Services which is the department in the city that provides programming and services for older residents. The name was changed from Senior Services to Older Adult Services in 2024. The Parks, Recreation and Culture department also has programming specifically designed for residents age 55 and older. Information on programming from both departments is listed in the OAS bi-monthly newsletter Coming of Age. https://www.newtonma.gov/government/seniors/newsletter-weekly-updates.

Will there be a piano at Cooper Center?

How can I donate to the Older Adult Services department to support services and programs for older adults?

Are you accepting donations of pool tables, art, pianos, or fitness equipment?

Is there fitness equipment such as treadmills, ellipticals, weight machines in the building?

Will there be showers?

Are lockers available?

Is there a computer lab?

City of Newton, MA

Top Searches:

SERVICE FINDER

I Want To...

Pay...

PARKING TICKET

Cooper Center FAQs