The Young family was just visiting the Golden Community Center for Saturday swim lessons, but they and many others found a “great surprise” waiting for them both inside and outside the building.
On April 26, the Golden Community Center celebrated its third annual Marv Kay Day as an open house/community showcase. Admission was free all day. Locals stopped in to take free classes, watch live demos, meet with personal trainers, tour the facilities and more.
Organizers said a new addition to this year’s event was the “touch a truck” opportunity in the front parking lot, where youngsters enjoyed climbing inside a Golden police car, fire truck, front-loader and more.
“We scaled it up this year,” said Jesse Badder, deputy director of recreation and golf.
The event was named for former Golden Mayor Marv Kay, who was instrumental in passing the city’s capital improvement sales tax that funded the Golden Community Center, among other projects. Kay, who was an icon in both the City of Golden and Colorado School of Mines communities.
Kay died in April 2023.
While other events throughout Golden are for locals and visitors alike, Badder said Marv Kay Day is an event specifically for locals.
The goal was to bring more people into the Golden Community Center to see everything it offers, from its preschool program to its indoor swimming pool, Badder continued. Groups like the aquatics program and the upcoming Amazing Athletes summer camp also had informational booths throughout the facility.
Overall, the event was well attended with hundreds of people stopping in throughout the day.
Badder said it wouldn’t have been possible without a grant from the Golden Civic Foundation that enabled free admission all day.
Robin Young brought her 3-year-old Hudson, who was enjoying touring the city vehicles in the parking lot. Young hoped the event would encourage more people to use the Golden Community Center, saying, “It’s a great resource for residents.”
Shirley Miller, who spent part of the morning putting together a puzzle in the Front Porch area, said she visits the Golden Community Center almost every day. She said she really appreciates the resources for seniors at the Front Porch and throughout the facility.
“There’s lots of stuff going on here,” she said.
Click through additional photos from Marv Kay Day:
On April 26, Shirley Miller works on a puzzle inside the Golden Community Center’s Front Porch area. Admission to the entire Golden Community Center was free April 26 for Marv Kay Day. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
On April 26, the Golden Community Center hosts city vehicles for the “touch a truck” portion of Marv Kay Day. Although the community center has hosted Marv Kay Day before, the “touch a truck” portion was new this year. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
As an instructor and her older sister guide her, 3-year-old Cece, center, goes through an obstacle course at the Amazing Athletes summer camp station outside the Golden Community Center. The summer camp group and others set up stations both inside and outside the community center for Marv Kay Day, which included free admission and demonstrations. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
On April 26, 4-year-old Wilder Gravina waves to his family while looking out the window of a Golden Fire Department truck. Several families stopped by for the “touch a truck” portion of the Golden Community Center’s Marv Kay Day on April 26. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
Basketball players congratulate each other after a game of Knockout on April 26 at the Golden Community Center. Admission to the community center was free as part of the annual Marv Kay Day celebration. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
On April 26, Golden Police Officer Philips Rogers distributes stickers to young Marv Kay Day attendees at the Golden Community Center. Several families stopped by for the “touch a truck” portion of the Golden Community Center’s Marv Kay Day on April 26. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
On April 26, the Golden Community Center has a sidewalk chalk display outside its main entrance celebrating Marv Kay Day. The celebration included free admission to the community center all day, programming demonstrations, “touch a truck” opportunities and more. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
With help from her dad, 2-year-old Louisa climbs down from a City of Golden vehicle during the Golden Community Center’s Marv Kay Day celebrations on April 26. Several families enjoyed the event’s “touch a truck” portion, which organizers said was new this year. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
On April 26, the Golden Community Center displays signs for its Marv Kay Day celebration. The day included free admission to the community center all day, programming demonstrations, “touch a truck” opportunities and more. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
On April 26, 5-year-olds Arlo Hoffman, left, and Hunter Hamblin pose for a photo for their families inside a Golden Police Department vehicle. Several families stopped by for the “touch a truck” portion of the Golden Community Center’s Marv Kay Day on April 26. Credit: Corinne Westeman