The District is endorsing recommendations from a seniors steering group that is proposing to deliver seniors' programming across Brennan Park Recreation Centre, The 55 Activity Centre and Westwinds facilities.
Previously, a steering group was created to provide ideas on how to split seniors' programming between the District's facilities.
On Oct. 26, staff presented the proposals from this report, which were endorsed unanimously by municipal council.
Under these recommendations, seniors' programming would be divided across main categories — fitness, rehabilitation and socializing.
Each facility would take on one of those purposes.
The Westwinds facility, which is being constructed downtown, would become a hub of rehabilitation and wellness. This would involve gentle activity focused on healing.
By contrast, Brennan Park will be a centre for fitness. This will be a place where seniors can find programming for more vigorous activities like swimming and outdoor or adventure sports.
Finally, The 55 Activity Centre will be a place for socializing. Activities in this area will revolve around art, culture and food.
Coun. John French noted to staff that the steering group that made these recommendations did not appear to represent the diversity of Squamish.
"It's very white. It's very colonial," said French. "And I'm looking to staff for some reassurance that that's recognized and our minority populations will be represented as we move all this forward."
"It is recognized and staff had the same concerns despite best efforts in reaching out to our Sikh community and our Filipino community," responded Devon Guest, acting director of recreation services.
Council also endorsed a recommendation to move forward with a new advisory group that would be making recommendations on seniors programming.
The Seniors Centre Society has objected to the creation of a new advisory group, as they say a previous agreement with then-mayor Ian Sutherland in 2012 gives them the right to be the advisory board.
Coun. Doug Race said that the idea, however, was to get the broadest possible sample of seniors, not just the Seniors Centre Society.
Coun. Eric Andersen said he was concerned about a loss of institutional memory with respect to previous agreements the District had with the Squamish Seniors Centre Society that were intended to give them a role in advising seniors programming.
However, ultimately, everyone on council, including Andersen, agreed to endorse the recommendations, including the one that advocated for creation of a new seniors advisory group.
