The Couri gift

If Elaine and John Couri can turn the Norumbega building into something anywhere near as successful as their other donation to the Bangor community, the Hammond Street Senior Center, this city has just received an enormous gift. Thanks are due to the Couri Foundation for making Bangor a better and healthier place for seniors.

The Norumbega building, which once housed Sears, Roebuck and Co., is not only a local historic site. Its ballroom and large open areas make it an ideal spot for special events and, especially, a planned fitness center for seniors. The Hammond Street center has attracted nearly 1,100 members already and its activities are outgrowing its space. An expanded fitness center – free and open to those 60 and older – allows the center to grow while providing an important service. As a place to meet with friends and take part in regular exercise, particularly in winter, the facility will improve life for the many seniors here and those expected to live in the increasing number of apartments being built locally.

The Couri Foundation was begun in 1987 and sponsors a variety of programs that help inner-city children and seniors, and includes a three-week program for MBA candidates at Sky Lodge, outside of Jackman. Mr. Couri, who provides some of the MBA lectures himself, is the retired president and chief executive officer of Duty Free International, which operates 185 duty-free retail shops in domestic and international airports as well as with 25 international airlines.

Bangor residents can be grateful that Mr. Couri has turned his success in business toward philanthropic works. As much as the city’s downtown is showing signs of revival, there remain obvious shortcomings in amenities that would not be fulfilled without the support of generous foundations. Making it easy for seniors to participate at a fitness center is a wonderful service in the downtown. Bangor has the Couris to thank.