June Member Profile: Larry Piper

June Member Profile: Larry Piper

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Larry Piper found himself at the Midland Community Center on November 24th, 1960, 62 years ago. It was a dark stormy winter night, and he had just driven eight hours from Purdue, Indiana, to Midland to tour the city. Larry described the Center as the social, educational, and fitness hub of Midland. Even on that stormy winter night, Larry said the Center was active. He made his way inside and got a 30-minute tour of the Center. After he said to himself, "this is the place I want to work."

Larry has a long history with the Midland Community Center. He has been a member since 1960 and is labeled a regular. "I've used just about every program the Center offers," Larry said. In the 70s, he participated in drop-in and recreational basketball leagues, and his kids grew up using the Center. They even worked here as locker room supervisors in high school.  

Today Larry can be found in the pool swimming laps. Swimming became a big part of his overall fitness program after discovering he had degenerative arthritis in his hips. Swimming started as his most hated exercise and is now his favorite. He argues swimming is the finest of all exercises. It is a non-weight-bearing exercise that will allow him to continue forward for as long as he can move.   

"The Greater Midland Community Center is important because it fills a need for the Midland Community,” Larry said. “The Center has evolved from more of an athletic training site to a place that supports families."