600 East Willow Street, Normal, Illinois 61761, United States
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    • Program Highlights
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    • ARC Living Memorial Fund
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  • More
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Activities
      • Program Highlights
      • Exercise Classes
      • Peace Meal Program
      • Travel Opportunities
      • Special Events
    • Senior Advisory Board
    • News
    • Give Back
      • ARC Living Memorial Fund
      • Bonnie's Cafe Sponsorship
      • Volunteer
    • Member Portal
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Activities
    • Program Highlights
    • Exercise Classes
    • Peace Meal Program
    • Travel Opportunities
    • Special Events
  • Senior Advisory Board
  • News
  • Give Back
    • ARC Living Memorial Fund
    • Bonnie's Cafe Sponsorship
    • Volunteer
  • Member Portal
ARC Activity & Recreation Center

Mon. - Fri.: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sat.: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Mon. - Fri.: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sat.: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PMMon. - Fri.: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sat.: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PMMon. - Fri.: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sat.: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PMMon. - Fri.: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sat.: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
A smiling woman at a book sale table interacts with an elderly woman browsing books.
Two people play cornhole near a colorful flower bed in a parking lot.
Two elderly people smiling with flower arrangements on a table.
ARCoustic Jam group form circle in Auditorium as they play guitars and wind instruments, from above

About ARC: Making a Difference for the 55+ Community

Normal Township ARC's Mission Statement

It is the mission of ARC to ​provide a modern, friendly atmosphere for socialization and fitness, as well as recreational, nutritional, health support and assistance services for senior citizens throughout McLean County. We believe in supporting a comprehensive range of programs and services for older adults.  Our classes and activities meet a wide array of interests, expectations and needs while we work to continually expand our program. ARC, sponsored by Normal Township, works with other supportive senior service agencies and individuals in and outside of McLean County.

Learn About ARC's History

Serving the 55+ Community for Over Three Decades

Normal Township is a small unit of government that has been focused on meeting the needs of people age 55+ for over three decades. In 2016, the township opened the Activity and Recreation Center (ARC), a 40,000 square foot facility dedicated to senior services. ARC is one of the largest senior services centers in the state of Illinois, offering daily exercise programs and over 50 free activities per month, including art classes, lectures, music enrichment, cards, and games, in addition to Peace Meal. ARC is dedicated to providing programs that promote healthy aging. At its original opening, the ARC building was used as an ice rink primarily for hockey players.  On March 14, 1988, Illinois State University's Student Recreation Building opened. Renovations now made cardio and weight training equipment available to students along with various courts, raquetball and fitness classes.  The Student Recreation Building closed in December of 2010.  Former Director Jennifer Engelman & Normal Township had been searching for a larger space to house its programs and services for seniors since 2009. They made the agreement to purchase the new building in April 2013.  Extensive remodeling has since taken place that allows ARC to offer a wide variety of programs and services to the local 55+ community.  ARC currently serves over 2,700 members.


 *The Normal Township Activity & Recreation Center is not a licensed or certified adult day services provider.* 

Benefits of ARC Membership

What can an ARC membership provide?

  • Recreational activities for seniors (55+) in Normal and the surrounding area 
  • Assistance services for seniors (55+) in Normal and the surrounding area 
  • Nutritional and health support as Peace Meal congregate site
  • Opportunities for improving fitness ​

  1. Access to indoor walking track (11 laps = 1 mile) 
  2. Fitness Center open to all ARC members provides access to various cardio and weight training equipment 
  3. Pickleball Courts
  4. Exercise Studio for various fitness classes with an instructor​ 
  5. Personal training opportunities with trainer Scott Richardson

  • ​Opportunities for socialization and continued learning 
  •  ARC shuttle service is available to all seniors that live within a 7-mile radius of ARC. The shuttle service offers transportation between ARC and a member’s residence only. The shuttle operates Monday through Thursday, according to the ARC calendar year. Pick-ups will be timed to allow all those who register for a ride on a given day to arrive at ARC by 10 AM. Drop-offs will take place at either 2 PM, 3PM or 4 PM. Drop-off time must be specified when making your ride reservation. The cost for riding the shuttle is FREE. In order to run an efficient shuttle service, all riders need to reserve a seat by noon the day in advance and by noon Thursday for Monday rides. To make a reservation, call ARC at 309-888-9099, and press 2 to speak to a Member Services Representative.

Cost of ARC Membership

Affordable annual membership of $30 - increasing to $40 June 1st

  • SilverSneakers®, Silver&Fit®, Prime®, Renew Active®, Active & Fit Members® - ARC membership fee waived following verification 
  • You can sign up for a new membership or renew using the online GymMaster Member Portal on this website, or you can register or renew in person at ARC.
  •  Those interested in becoming members of ARC who meet the following requirements are eligible for a hardship reduction of the membership fee.  See a manager for further details on the process: ​Annual income < $19,391 for a single person Annual income < $26,228 for a couple
  • Some ARC programs and classes have additional fees to the cost of an annual membership.  Details on those programs and classes can be found in ARC's monthly newsletter.
  • Visitor Passes Available - The purchase of a $5.00 visitor pass allows a non-member (55+) to visit ARC and participate in programs at the center that do not have a participation fee for the period of one day during hours of operation. Payments made toward visitor passes will not be applied to the future purchase of an annual membership. Visitor passes can be purchased in-person at the ARC front desk on the day they are intended to be used. Visitors must bring a photo ID and complete visitor paperwork. 

3 rows of tables with members working on watercolor paintings

ARC Offers Room Rentals

Now Available for Rent to Members

Saturdays: 1 PM—9 PM, Sundays: 6 AM—2 PM   

Rec Room—$350 for minimum of 2 hour rental + $35 per additional hour  

Auditorium—$350 for minimum of 2 hour rental + $35 per additional hour 

  •  Prep Kitchen add-on—$200 
  • AV Equipment add-on—$75​​  

*Renters must secure copyright licensing and show proof of licensing to show commercial     videos in the Auditorium  

  • Refundable Deposit—$600  


For more details or to fill out a room rental application contact Elicssha Sanders, Executive Director, in person or by email at esanders@normaltownship.org.

Normal Township ARC Holiday Closures 2026

January 1, 2026 - New Year's Day

January 19, 2026 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

February 16, 2026 - President's Day

May 25, 2026 - Memorial Day

June 19, 2026 - Juneteenth

July 3, 2026 - In observation of Independence Day

July 4, 2026 - Independence Day

September 7, 2026 - Labor Day

October 12, 2026 - Indigenous Peoples' Day

November 11, 2026 - Veterans Day

November 26, 2026 - Thanksgiving

November 27, 2026 - Day after Thanksgiving

November 28, 2026 - In observation of Thanksgiving

December 24, 2026 - Christmas Eve

December 25, 2026 - Christmas Day

December 26, 2026 - Day after Christmas

December 31, 2026 - New Year's Eve


*Please Note: ARC may close on days not listed above as needed for weather, building related issues, training days, etc.*

Meet Our Management Team

Elicssha Sanders

Elicssha Sanders

Elicssha Sanders

Executive Director

Molly smiling in computer chair

Molly Camper

Elicssha Sanders

Elicssha Sanders

Director of Programming

Samantha Scott

Elicssha Sanders

Samantha Scott

Communications Coordinator

Blake Aho

Kristen Chimack

Samantha Scott

Lead Custodian

Kristen Chimack

Kristen Chimack

Kristen Chimack

Management Assistant


Copyright © 2026 ARC Activity & Recreation Center - All Rights Reserved.

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  • Home
  • About Us
  • Program Highlights
  • Exercise Classes
  • Peace Meal Program
  • Travel Opportunities
  • Special Events
  • Senior Advisory Board
  • ARC Living Memorial Fund
  • Bonnie's Cafe Sponsorship
  • Member Portal

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Peace Meal is Seeking Volunteers!

Would you be interested in assisting Peace Meal as a volunteer on salad bar days (Wednesdays) from 11 AM - 12:30 PM? Duties include prepping to-go meals, serving soup, and more!  Let an ARC Management Team member know!