The Charles A. Melton Arts & Education Center has been an important part of the community since the early 1900s. Many generations have worked hard to keep the non-profit center up and running. Now used for educational, recreational and cultural activities, this center was originally intended as a place for African-Americans who weren't allowed in other places. Today it is a multi-cultural center with a full size indoor basketball court, a banquet hall and an auditorium. There is also an outdoor basketball court, a soccer field and playground equipment. In August of 2004, the center was named after Charles Melton who had been the executive director and secretary of the West Chester Community Center for more than 40 years.
This holistic wellness and healing center is located conveniently on West Chester Pike, just outside of town. It offers a series of classes on everything from yoga to shamanism, but it's all dedicated to help you find peace in your life and become the best you can be. The Center offers massage therapy, acupuncture and herbal medicine as well, making it a convincing choice if you're looking for an alternative.
Mitch's Market Street Gym combines fitness classes, equipment and knowledgable trainers with the comfort of working out in a small, intimate atmosphere. In addition to equipment, there are also fitness classes like yoga, pilates and boot camp. Mitch's staff can also customize workouts for individuals and small groups. Customers rave about how friendly and knowledgable the staff are, and about its convenient location in downtown West Chester.
The Harrison Dance Studio is located on South High Street and is known for being Pennsylvania's largest training school for children, although Harrison offers dance lessons for students aged 3 to adulthood. For more information on enrollment policies and the current curriculum, please visit the website.
This Boy Scouts of America Service Center location serves Chester County and the northwestern portion of Cecil County, Maryland. This is the meeting location for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and the Venturing Program (for boys and girls, ages 14 to 20), and it serves as a popular location for daily, weekly and monthly events. The Boy Scouts of America is also a United Way Community Partner in Chester County.
The Dance Center, located near the Village Dance Shoppe and the Dave Matthews School of Dance, is the official school of the Brandywine Ballet. Since 1973, the school has trained those with a serious interest in pursuing a career in dance—Dance Center students have gone on to perform all over the world. The school offers three state-of-the-art studios, the largest being 2,000 square feet.
Ted Way, head instructor at the McCormick Karate Academy's West Chester location, has been teaching martial arts since 2001. The studio offers karate and mixed martial arts classes for children and adults, kickboxing classes for women and classes in Haganah, a self-defense style with Israeli origins. McCormick also has a location in Oxford.
With three pools and plenty of umbrellas to provide shade, this club is a great place to spend a sultry summer day. The main pool has a diving board and a water slide, and there is also a lap pool and a baby pool. In addition, the club has a volleyball court, a full size basketball court and an area for playing wall ball. A shady picnic area with grills and picnic tables is a perfect place to prepare lunch or dinner. Wedgewood is a bonded, member-owned club.
AJS Pancott National Training Center was established by John Pancott in 1997. It provides both classes and space for team students to practice gymnastics. The staff includes skilled and knowledgeable gymnastic instructors who can lead students to the highest level of achievement. The West Chester facility offers instruction in beams, floor, bar, ballet and vault skills. Classes range in levels, depending on age and skill and are available throughout the year.
This farm and horse training facility is one of the few such places to have an indoor swimming pool for horses and dogs. Pennsylvania's oldest thoroughbred farm, Maui Meadow hosts all sorts of training programs, many of which use the swimming pool to give the animals the best possible workout. It also sells horses.
The Roslyn Swim Club is located on a shady spot of Spruce Avenue, right off South High Street. Throughout its half-century history, the club has provided a spot for families to enjoy the sunny weather and have fun at the pool. The club offers activities throughout the summer. There is a swim team. Children under three years old are welcome at no charge.