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Mission seniors centre thriving after rough first year

Pandemic causes plethora of problems
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Submitted by the Mission Seniors Centre Association

The Mission Seniors Centre Association worked for many years to provide the local community with a dedicated home for local seniors to congregate, learn, share, and enjoy an active lifestyle. The dream was achieved when in September 2022, the Boswyk Seniors Activity Centre opened.

The planning was long and arduous, but an important goal was met.

This first year of operation proved somewhat calamitous at times. Many small issues arose immediately: phones not connected, Wi-Fi not working, difficulty controlling temperatures, you name it – we experienced it!

The board of directors met ever more frequently, and when our cook resigned, the proverbial s*** really hit the fan. The complications related to the pandemic were most unhelpful, and our attendance was very low.

However, perseverance did win the day – and with patience, tact, negotiating skills and marvellous cooperation from the department of recreation plus the City of Mission, we won the day. Having delayed our grand opening due to Covid restrictions, we eventually held a successful event in June 2022 which was attended by three levels of government plus the seniors advocate.

Since then, the board’s continued “nagging” has netted us a chef and baker who are proving that anything worthwhile is worth waiting for. Our lunch meals are simple and varied with added baking goods on many days. Not only sandwiches, but a variety of hot meals have resulted, so visiting frequently has become a necessity. Prices are reasonable and the use of strong spices is limited to suit senior tastebuds.

Activities have slowly increased so that the variety of attractions have increased attendance. We offer line dancing, carpet bowling, floor curling, bingo, pool tables, darts, cribbage, bridge, chair yoga, chair fitness, canasta, ping pong, arts and crafts, and a weekly wellness group meeting.

Plans are in place for more requested activities in the coming year. The few niggling complaints are almost at zero and we anticipate a year of enthusiastic growth and even more fun.

Our events chair has busily coordinated several celebrations and dances which sell out early, and have proven not only very popular, but are enjoyed immensely by these punch-fuelled, so-called “seniors.”

Everyone seems 30 years younger and are now known to wear out the band before the event is all over!

The annual general meeting occurs on Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. and the public are invited along with current members. To vote, one must be a paid-up member 14 days prior to the meeting. Membership is $20 annually and available through the reception desk at the Leisure Centre.

Iris Todd-Lewis is vice-president of the Mission Seniors Centre Association.

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