Media Contact:
Vivian DeArmas
C.V. Starr Center
adminassistant@mendocoastrec.org
(707) 964-9446

FORT BRAGG, Calif. – December 22, 2009 –The biggest challenge for families is where they can find activities to keep kids busy (and interested) on weekend getaways and vacations.

Fort Bragg takes pride in being family-friendly, from miniature golf and whale -watching to train rides and family kayak adventures. The Fort Bragg Promotion Committee has identified 17 family-friendly activities —plenty to do for a weekend or a week, rain or shine.

The latest addition to the family-friendly activity list is the C.V. Starr Community Center that includes the Sigrid and Harry Spath Aquatic Facility.

The center of activity is the 8-lane competition lap pool and the zero-depth, beach entry learning pool with a waterslide. The waterslide will keep the kids entertained for hours as they plunge into the heated pool with trained lifeguards standing watch.

However, the waterslide is just the tip of the activity iceberg at Starr with dozens of classes (around $6) and exercise programs for adults and children.

Among them: high-energy water exercises, swim and diving lessons (of course), scuba instruction, kayak training (the pool includes a running river), body sculpting, Tai Chi – Qigong, country dance, cycling, tips for organizing your travels, art, beginning guitar, dance and aerobics, weight training and much more.

Best of all is the price: $18 / day for a family of four ($4 for each additional family member). This covers the use of the pool and most other facilities.

The rest of the story: the $13 million center was made possible by 1909 Fort Bragg High grad, Cornelius Vanderstarr, aka Neil Starr, who founded the Asian Insurance Group (better known as AIG) in Shanghai, China in 1919. His foundation gave $4 million to the local parks and recreation district. It’s ironic that while the company he founded put the U.S. economy in peril, his donation has lifted the economy of Fort Bragg, his hometown.

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