Politics & Government

Jazzercise Dispute is Resolved

Controversial Exercise Program Will Move to Former Gales Ferry School

Jazzercise classes will relocate from the Ledyard Senior Center to the gymnasium at the former Gales Ferry School in what Mayor John Rodolico called a “win-win” for all parties involved. 

“This is a much better location for the classes in terms of space and facility,” Rodolico said of the former school, in which Jazzercise instructor Lisa Mazzaro will lease space from the town. The move will take place at the end of the month.

“We’re thrilled, I’m thrilled, my whole class is thrilled,” Mazzaro said. “We have a place to go, and we’re just so thankful to Mayor Rodolico for making this possible.”

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Mazzaro said she has approximately 35 Jazzercise students, but could have more in the future. “We hope to grow, and now we have room to do it,” she said. 

The old gym is larger than the space that has been used for Jazzercise at the Senior Center, and there is a stage from which Mazzaro may lead the class.

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Jazzercise classes have been taking place at the Senior Center for nearly two years under an agreement between Mazzaro and the town Parks and Recreation Department. But the classes have been a continual source of consternation among some seniors who disapprove of hosting the classes at the center.

At a recent meeting of the Permanent Commission for Senior Citizens, which oversees the Senior Center, Rodlico vowed to resolve the issue.

The town-owned former school has been largely vacant for the past decade. The building has been on the market, but offers have been slow to materialize, especially in this economy, Rodolico said.

The town, meanwhile, has heated and maintained the building, and has been able to lease a portion of it to the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resources Recovery Authority.

Rodolico said he hopes even greater use of the building can be made. “There are some other opportunities, but we’re going to take this one step at a time,” he said.


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