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, look around, or try out programs for free. We also offer orientations for new and prospective members several times a month. Try It Out Tuesday, Welcome Wednesday, Welcome Wednesday Evening Edition, and Stop by 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.
Join!
The Center fosters connections among members who share both diverse interests and common life experience. It’s a vibrant community where everyone is valued and respected as they follow their own paths to better health and well-being.
View a pdf of our membership brochure here.
Membership
Annual membership at The Center is $264 ($22 per month). Members have access to a full spectrum of healthy aging programs—fitness classes, social events, educational workshops, and much more—with fee-based programs and use of the equipped fitness room available à la carte. Center members also receive a certificate for a trial month of membership to share with a friend or family member and a 20% discount on rental space.
“Plus” Package
Members can also choose to add on a Plus package for an additional $38 per month ($456 annually), which provides use of the equipped fitness room ($240 annual value) and a highly discounted rate on fee-based programs in the form of $1,500 in credits to use for classes in any way you choose*.
With fee-based classes priced at about $10 per program hour, this add-on package equates to better than a “Buy One, Get Three” deal. Based on a 50-week year, (allowing for days The Center is closed for holidays), this $1,500 credit equates to three hours of fee-based programming per week. You may use any of these credits at any time. Once you spend down the credits, you will pay for fee-based programs à la carte. The total cost of membership with the addition of Plus is $60 per month ($720 annually).
* Note: We offer a 10% discount for households, which 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 pedicures or massage).
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
- You can decide at any point in your 12-month membership to add the Plus package; credits will be pro-rated based on renewal date.
- Generous donors provide funds that make 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.
- Drop by The Center and join at our Welcome Desk. Want to fill out the Membership Registration form in advance? You can download it here.
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. Stop by the Welcome Desk or call 434.974.7756.