Mahjong tournaments, teen dances, boxing and cooking classes were just a few of the ideas residents offered up at the Jewish Community Center on the Hudson's (JCC) open meetings on Wednesday evening and Friday morning of last week.

Frank Hassid, executive director of the JCC, gave an overview of the facilities at the proposed new campus, which is expected to be open in approximately two years.

According to Hassid, the project is expected to cost around $12 million, five million of which will be financed. The remaining seven million will be raised through fundraising.

A few dozen Westchester residents came out to brainstorm ideas with the JCC's staff for new programming and activities, hoping to expand on the organization's current offerings and offer up new thoughts.

"This is really about programming and getting people involved," explained Hassid.

Plans for the campus include a youth lounge and programs built around the pre-teen and teen population; one the current facility is not able to serve extensively.

"As my kids get older, where are they going to hang out?" asked Bonni Arbore, an Ardsley resident, on Friday.

Other agreed planned activities for weekend nights would create a positive and fun atmosphere for older kids. A few parents also thought creating a "youth council" would give young people the chance to voice their ideas as well.

"After the gym and pool, youth programming has generated the most interest," agreed Hassid.

JCC staff emphasized the need for all proposed ideas to be viable and marketable to the organization's intended membership. Currently, between 3,000 and 3,5000 people utilize the facilities annually; the new campus wil be able to accommodate up to 12,000.

Additionally, Hassid said they hope to create a "campus" feel as much as possible by offering options for people to "stick around" when they wouldn't otherwise.

"Even the pool area will have a quad so people can watch their kids swim," he said, also suggesting they could visit the café to relax and socialize before or after an event or class.

On Friday, Hasting's Adrian Strizhak inquired about senior programming, too. Hassid responded by mentioning the center's proposed "mind/body" room, which will offer meditation, yoga and related classes, as well as day programs for the senior population.

"On Wednesday, someone proposed an Alzheimer's group respite," he revealed, which residents agreed was a terrific idea.

A major theme of the sessions was the idea of collaborating with as many outside area organizations, as well as taking ideas from other successful community centers, as possible. Other ideas included volleyball, dodgeball and basketball time slots; pool-based exercise classes; programming for the disable population; tennis and more lectures and movie nights.

To move forward, the staff emphasized the need form work groups for residents to work on program ideas that interest them. The work groups may meet around four times a year, as well as collaborate via email, to bring ideas to life.

"The next step is to invite people back for the first work group sessions," said Hassid, "and bring a buddy."