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Squamish seniors displeased with moving dedicated recreation space to Westwinds

However, the District says it aims to survey seniors for feedback on the move.
the-55-activity-centre
The 55. File photo/The Chief staff
A director with the Squamish Seniors Centre Society is voicing displeasure about the move of seniors’ dedicated space from The 55 Activity Centre to the Westwinds development.

It’s the latest in the ongoing dispute between the society and the District as the municipality has voiced its desire to put non-senior programming in The 55 in order to compensate for the lack of space in Brennan Park.

The District has promised to keep some of seniors’ activities at The 55, but municipal staff have said they intend to move the seniors’ dedicated space to the Westwinds, a new seniors housing development that’s currently under construction.

The municipality has set up a seniors steering committee to help guide how this transition may occur.

In response, seniors centre society director Herbert Vesely sent a letter to The Chief outlining a number of points he wants the committee to take into consideration. He also listed several reasons that outlined why he believed the municipality was mistaken in changing where and how seniors get their programming and dedicated space.

“A fair and unbiased steering committee on programming options, when considering the above facts cannot come to any conclusion other than, that there is no advantage to add programming for Seniors at the Westwinds facility,” Vesely wrote.

First, he said that as per a promise from Squamish’s then-mayor Ian Sutherland in 2009, The 55 was originally intended to be seniors’ dedicated space.

Vesely said the facility was built using lands and funds set aside by previous councils to be used solely by seniors, who contributed about $80,000 to equip the facility.

“The [seniors centre] society has spent countless volunteer hours participating in the facility design, selecting equipment and furnishings and in its operation,” he wrote.

Vesely also added that if the facility is being underused, the blame lies with the municipality for failing to provide programming that seniors have been requesting for years.

Regarding the Westwinds becoming the new dedicated seniors' space, Vesely said there are problems with this arrangement.

First, he said the Westwinds lack a functional kitchen, which means seniors will be without mealtime services that serve as an opportunity to socialize.

By Vesely’s account, that facility also doesn’t have a sprung floor, which hampers its ability to provide a good place to exercise.

The 55, by contrast, said Vesely, has both of those things.

Finally, Vesely said that the lease on the Westwinds seniors’ space only lasts 10 years, leaving older folks in town with no clear home for their dedicated space afterward.

On top of that, the $400,000 spent on leasing that space over that decade will only grant seniors access from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., he added.

The District of Squamish responded to Vesely’s critique with a written statement provided to The Chief.

Regarding the concerns about a kitchen and exercise space, spokesperson Rachel Boguski said that some programming will still be offered for seniors at The 55 Activity Centre.

Seniors will still be able to use the kitchen and Great Room for programming and social events, she said.

The Westwinds offers some of those amenities, she added.

“The Westwinds building includes programming space and kitchen facilities,” said Boguski. “We are confident it will be a great addition to the programming space that already exists for residents aged 55 and older.”

Boguski also noted that seniors programming will occur across three facilities — Brennan Park Recreation Centre, The 55 and the Westwinds building.

The municipality is working with a steering group of seniors to determine how and where to put its programming for older people.

“Each of the three facilities offers different equipment and physical space. The District is working with the steering group to help determine which programs are needed in the District and which location is best suited to offer different programming,” she said.

Furthermore, the District intends on surveying seniors to collect ideas and feedback on this matter.

“The District recognizes the valuable contributions made by the Squamish Seniors Centre Society both financially and culturally over the past several years and the efforts that have been made to build a vibrant gathering place for our 55-plus community to socialize, learn and form lasting connections,” said Boguski.

“The District wants to preserve and build on the legacy the Society has created. Our goal is to work with residents to find new ways to deliver recreation programming across our three facilities, envision the types of programs that could be offered in the future, and discover more ways to help build connections among residents in our community aged 55 and older.”

 

 

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