The Center is a nonprofit community center with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status whose mission is to create opportunities for healthy aging through social engagement, physical well-being, civic involvement, creativity, and lifelong learning. Membership is open to anyone age 50 and up.
Are you looking for a community center? A cultural center? A social, fitness, or civic center? You can find all of them at one convenient location—The Center!
come + explore
You are welcome to come by anytime we are open to look around or try out programs for free. We also offer new and prospective member orientations. Try It Out Tuesday, held the first Tuesday of every month; Welcome Wednesday, on the second Wednesday; Welcome Wednesday Evening Edition, on the third Wednesday; and Stop By Saturday, the last Saturday, are great ways to see what's here for you. Join us for a brief presentation to learn about The Center, sample some delicious treats from our Greenberry's Coffee Co., and take a tour of our beautiful building. These orientations are generously sponsored by The Colonnades, an independent living community and retirement home in Charlottesville, Delaney Hearing Center, with locations in Charlottesville and Fredericksburg, and Hanckel-Citizens Insurance Corporation, an independent insurance agent for more than 150 years.
Join!
The Center is a testament to the power of healthy aging. It fosters connections that create a wonderful sense of community among members who share both diverse interests and common life experience. It's a vibrant community with professors and plumbers, mechanics and managers. Everyone is valued and respected. Membership is a great deal, with no-hassle scholarships available.
View a pdf of our membership brochure here.
Membership Options
New and renewing members have a choice of either Standard or Prime membership.
Standard membership includes access to about 80% of our programs, with fee-based programs available à la carte for an additional fee. The cost of Standard membership is $216 annually ($18/month) for an individual or $384 ($32/month) for a household.*
For members who participate in fee-based programs, Prime membership is an all-inclusive** option that offers more value. Prime members enjoy access to fee-based programs and the equipped fitness room at no additional cost. Prime members also receive a certificate for a trial month of membership to share with a friend or family member and a 20% discount on facility rental. The cost for Prime membership is $588 annually ($49/month) for an individual or $1,056 ($88/month) for a household.*
*A "household" is defined as any two adults living at the same mailing address with at least one person aged 50 or older.
** Exceptions are travel, designated special events/programs, and services (such as seated massage and personal training).
More to know:
- You can pay for membership on a monthly basis or all at once. To set up monthly payments, please email Amy Martel or call her at 434.220.9754
- If you opt for Standard when you join but later decide you’d prefer Prime, no worries—members can switch from Standard to Prime and vice versa.
- The Mary P. Reese Scholarship Fund makes scholarships available for anyone who cannot afford membership dues. Please contact Suzanne Orejuela at 434.220.9732 if you would like to request a scholarship or you have any questions about membership.
To become a member, you can:
- Join online here.
- Download a PDF version of the Membership Registration Form to mail to The Center at Belvedere, 540 Belvedere Boulevard, Charlottesville, VA 22901, Attn: Membership
- Drop by The Center and join at our Welcome Desk.
To renew your membership:
- Renew online here.
- Mail your payment to The Center at Belvedere, 540 Belvedere Boulevard, Charlottesville, VA 22901, Attn: Membership Director.
- Stop by the Welcome Desk.
Contact membership staff with questions about membership payments or renewal dates.
To give the gift of membership:
Gift certificates are available for membership and for programs. Contact the our membership team for information or to make a purchase.