Seniors represent approximately 17 per cent of the population and at the District of Mission account for about 5,000 people over 65 years of age, growing to over 10,000 when you factor in the 55+ age group.
Sadly, I just witnessed the passing of the 10th senior, to my personal knowledge, who devoted their lives and retirement to making Mission a more inclusive place to live and each was dying to have the opportunity to enjoy the camaraderie and benefits of having our own Seniors’ Activity Centre in their lifetime.
With an election of a new board on Thursday March 3, seniors can take major strides forward following a dynamic pro-active approach, or simply continue the status-quo.
While I hold no optimism and view no penchant for change, it seems all seniors can hold out hope for is that more overcome the prevalent apathy and start to join and achieve a sustainable membership at Mission Seniors’ Centre Association.
Good luck to the newly elected board of directors, may you achieve the needs of seniors.
The next terribly important step is to convince mayor and councillors to commit to a firm date to have a minimum 12,000 square foot seniors facility built, investing $7 million for construction and a funding process to do so, that may include multi-use housing above, to help defray costs, without further delay.
George Evens
Mission