In my last column I mentioned that residents have longed for a community room within Whispering Oaks for decades. WOHA’s archives indicate the idea was first raised nearly fifty years ago, but the project never got off the ground. What a shame. Just think of all the neighborhood gatherings and fun we’ve been missing.

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Nearby subdivisions smaller than Whispering Oaks have community rooms and some of our residents drive miles to rent them for special events because we don’t have one here. It’s easy to imagine the types of activities which could be hosted inside a large empty room conveniently accessible to our residents.

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Visualize the concept for a moment. A cool, air-conditioned, mosquito-free, gathering spot within walking distance of your home which hosts a myriad of activities for low or no cost. A simple community room could be so much more than just a place to host kids birthday parties in order to avoid Kool-Aid stains on your living room rug.

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A variety of classes could be offered for young, old, and everyone in between. While I can’t be convinced to drive across town in rush hour traffic to sweat in a noisy, crowded gym, I would certainly walk down the street to friendly exercise classes. I’m sure my creaky bones would benefit from yoga, pilates, or any routine that allows me to lay on a comfy mat.

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I could also be coaxed into regular games of bridge, Texas Hold Em, or Mah Jong. Perhaps some neighbors would be willing to discretely wager with leftover Halloween candy rather than cash because I still have some in the pantry.

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Our community clubs could use the space not just for meetings, but to host guest speakers and exhibits on issues that pique our collective curiosity. We could host presentations by city staff and council persons as well. A room of just 1000 sq ft could seat around 60 guests comfortably. And folding tables could make the spacious room an ideal prep area for club projects.

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Then of course there’s always the potential for parties. A countertop and sink could enable social events where neighbors bond over food and drinks for various holidays and causes. WOHA’s annual New Neighbor Welcome Party could be catered for far less than what is spent at a restaurant miles away.

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And don’t forget convenient voting. It wasn’t long ago that Whispering Oaks residents could cast their ballots right here in the neighborhood with barely a wait. The county pays locations to host a polling station.

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Clearly the possibilities are endless and all would enhance our collective quality of life. In hindsight, we probably should have built a simple community room decades ago. Perhaps WOHA’s upcoming golden anniversary would be better late than never.