When someone told me Sutter Lakeside Hospital was closing its Wellness Center, my response was, “WHAT!!??”

It is one of the places in Lake County that I am most proud of. We always show it off to visiting relatives and friends.

The hospital spokesperson called it a “gym.” It is much, much more than that.

I wish that person would come by our Monday morning Zumba Gold class. We don’t look like the typical gym goers. Our instructor, Irma Lopez, leads us in modified Zumba moves.

For many of us it is the major activity we do to maintain balance, muscle and bone mass so we can stay active without fear of falling and breaking something.

The mobility park is a wonderful idea, but in all reality, I don’t see many people using it.

The Wellness Center takes the other approach of trying to keep people healthy so hopefully we won’t have to use the mobility park.

I earnestly hope that the Sutter Lakeside Hospital Board will find a way to keep the Wellness Center open.

Chris Clifford lives in Lakeport, Calif.