Editor's note: After the meeting, the luncheon for the Eastfield Mall Walking Club was rescheduled and will take place on Wednesday, July 12, at 11 a.m.

SPRINGFIELD — For decades, individuals have visited the Eastfield Mall — not to shop or eat — but to walk. With the upcoming demolition of the building, the walkers are looking for a new safe, indoor space that will accommodate their needs.

To discuss possibilities of retaining the walking club, Ward 6 City Councilor and Chair of the Committee on Elder Affairs Victor Davila called a meeting at the Eastfield Mall on May 18. Over 20 people attended the meeting along with Ward 8 City Councilor Zaida Govan and Councilor at Large Kateri Walsh.

Davila began by explaining that the Eastfield Mall property has been sold and the structure will be demolished on July 15. The new development will be known as the Springfield Crossing.

With the demolition comes big concern, especially for the walking club that has been around for nearly 30 years.

Springfield Crossing Vice President Brian Kaplan explained that when the demolition process begins, the entire site will be fenced off for safety. “The construction process [will take] over two years to complete,” he said.

He went on to say that this project is separate from and does not include the Sears parcel.

Once the Springfield Crossing site is open, it will be an open-air shopping center, Kaplan shared. There will be sidewalks outside along with the possibility of creating trails. Kaplan said certain approvals are needed for the trails, but this option is being explored.

The new space will be 360,000 square feet and will include retail, restaurants and other services that cannot be announced yet, Kaplan said.

While the Springfield Crossing will be on private property, Kaplan noted that it will always be open for people to walk on the sidewalks or trails, but when the stores are closed, there will not be a public building to walk in.

Davila asked members of the Walking Club if they had any ideas on how it could be retained. Some of the responses included alternative spaces to look into such as Western New England University, Interskate 91 South in Wilbraham and the Greenleaf Community Center in Springfield. Several members showed interest in moving to Greenleaf as it is not far from the Eastfield Mall. Davila said he will make a phone call to the community center to see if that is even an option.

Members noted that an indoor walking location is preferred because the summer months become too hot and inclement weather makes it difficult to be outside.

Most said they preferred the early morning sessions as well as they now visit the mall before the stores open.

Wilbraham resident Jim Ellithorpe has been walking at the Eastfield Mall for 52 years. “I come here Monday through Sunday — every day — between 9 and 10 a.m.,” he told Reminder Publishing. Here, he meets up with friends to accompany him on his walk.

Over the years, Ellithorpe has watched the mall change with the addition of new stores and departure of others. “It will be hard” to see the mall go, he said.

Ludlow resident Bill Boulanger has been a part of the walking club for about six years. “I walk about 5 ½ miles in the morning,” he said. “I come mostly every day.”

“It’s sad to see [it go],” he added.

As the walkers come from various places, Davila pointed out the regional impact this has.

“It’s a tradition,” he shared.

Davila plans to host more meetings in the future as new information unfolds. He encourages anyone with ideas or suggestions on how to keep the walking club operating to contact him at vdavila@springfieldcityhall.com.

To honor the walkers at the Eastfield Mall one last time before demolition, Walsh suggested throwing a party for them. After some discussion, it was decided that the party will take place on July 14 at 10 a.m.

“You will probably see me shed a tear at the party,” Ellithorpe said.