The Lexington Observer speaks with Liz Festa, Executive Director of the Hayden Recreation Centre

LO: What can you share about the history of the Hayden Recreation Centre? 

LF: The Hayden Recreation Centre was incorporated in March 1937 by Josiah Willard Hayden, a Lexington resident. Although Mr. and Mrs. Hayden did not have any children of their own, Mr. Hayden believed he greatly benefited from the wide array of opportunities he had available as a child and wanted to offer those benefits to the youth of his town. 

Part of the Charter describes the purpose of building Hayden Centre as, “To establish a place of meeting of the youth of Lexington for their moral, mental, and social improvement and development and in general to do all things that may promote directly or indirectly their intellectual, social, and physical welfare.”

Construction on the Recreation Centre began in 1957, and the building was officially dedicated on January 24, 1958. The Ice Facility was built in 1965 and was officially dedicated on May 22, 1966, with the first ice show starring 497 youngsters. 

LO: How does the Hayden Centre operate? 

LF: We employ approximately 250 people each year. We run five sessions of classes each year, with about 140 classes during each session. Additionally, we offer clinics throughout the year, summer camps, club ice, general skate and stuck and puck times, free swim and open gym times, weight room hours and lap swimming options. We offer special school vacation week activities and childcare. We also offer our Hayden After-School program and our Josiah Hayden PreSchool program – both programs are licensed through the Department of Early Education and Care. 

We’re proud of all our programs and the options we offer our members.  Members can enjoy cooking, swimming, skating, dancing, playing basketball, making pottery, painting, and so much more! Our Afterschool program was established in 1989 and continues to offer childcare options to students in grades K-5. Our Preschool recently celebrated our 11th year of operations. Hayden has been offering summer camps since 1958 (66 years). 

We have 370 members in our United States Figure Club – it is the second largest skating club in New England, the fifth largest in the Eastern region and the 14th largest in the US. Our Learn to Skate program is the third largest USA Learn to Skate program in the state, with skating lessons starting at four years old.  

LO: Who can use the Hayden Centre?

LF: The Hayden Centre serves the youth of Lexington. Any Lexington resident can become a member of the Centre. The Recreation Facility has membership options for non-residents, too. Children in grades K-12 who attend school in Lexington full-time and non-resident adults who work full-time for a business in Lexington can become members of the Recreation Facility. Our Ice Facility also has membership options for any non-resident.

LO: Are there any near- and/or long-term goals for the Hayden Centre that you can share?

Our goal is to continue to offer recreational activities that have a positive impact on the youth of Lexington. We work to appeal to the community’s interests and needs. We also recognize the importance of maintaining and improving our two facilities to help meet that effort. We have completed several renovation projects over the recent years.

LO: What do you think makes the Hayden Centre unique?

LF: There’s no other Josiah Willard Hayden Recreation Centre. The Centre is in Lexington, for Lexington. We have members as young as six months up to over 90 years old. At Hayden, we get to see our kids grow up. Many of our young members become volunteers, then employees, and some eventually come back later in life with their own kids! Our list of Hayden Stalwarts (people who came to Hayden as a kid, then volunteered, and eventually became an employee) keeps growing and we love it!

We have a robust volunteer program at the Centre: the Hayden Helper program. Our volunteer program works with students from the Cotting School, the LABBB program, and Lexington High School. The Hayden Helper program is available to Lexingtonians starting in the sixth grade.  

Hayden offers opportunities for children to learn a skill, find a passion, spend time with their community members, work their first job, make new friends, and simply have fun!

LO: What can Lexingtonians do to help the Hayden Centre?

LF: Come enjoy Mr. Hayden’s mission!

Join the Conversation

1 Comment

  1. Hayden Recreation Centre is truly a blessing for Lexington families with young children and working parents. We are profoundly grateful for their remarkable work and the positive impact they bring to our community.

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