The Bonnyville Seniors’ Drop-In Centre is looking to keep its momentum going.
The centre has been slowly but steadily finding its stride again as it emerges from three years of Covid uncertainty. Following their annual general meeting last week, newly-elected president Sherry Hennessey is optimistic as she and the new board look at plans for the coming year.
“Our past executive had a difficult time with Covid and opening and closing, all kinds of things going on there. They worked really hard,” Hennessey said.
That hard work is paying off as attendance at activities picks up again. Hennessey says she can see the smiles on people’s faces, and it’s exciting.
“What excites me is we’re all socializing again. I’m excited to see the happy faces on some of our members because a lot of them haven’t had a lot of socializing and they’re happy to come,” she said.
Hennessey said she will be looking to the new board and the membership for ideas on what activities and programs people want to see.
“I’m hoping to start information sessions back up, I have some general ideas on where we might go with that. [We’re] hoping to get chair yoga in here once a week at least, and some security-type presentations from the RCMP—or cybersecurity, Facebook security or some general things. We have another lady who’s going to present on the impacts of falls,” she said.
“I’m not sure exactly the direction the board would go, but I think everyone’s feeling that more is better—if we have the volunteers to do it. So that’s one of our keys is trying to get more volunteers to assist and perhaps have a couple of committees or committee chairs to assist with the activities that we are carrying on and see how it goes.”
With activities curtailed during the pandemic, the centre didn’t have a reliable revenue stream to get ahead on improvements to their building. Hennessey says they are now looking at available grants to fund upgrades to LED lighting and possibly adding some air conditioning.
But whether it’s infrastructure or programming, Hennessey says the new board and the general membership are in a good position to chart the centre’s course. Two-way community involvement—inviting the community into the Drop-In Centre, and members being active in the community at large, is important for growth.
The centre houses the Tangled Threads sewing group and the Tuneagers choir, and a new “Commander League” of gamers meets regularly. The latter is mostly a younger group than the centre’s regular membership, which Hennessey sees as a good thing.
Regular members are 50 years and older, but younger people can join as associate members. Hennessey said the Commander League participants have been enthusiastic about having the centre as a meeting place—they help out and even pitch in with snow clearing.
“Even though we are a seniors’ centre, we can have members of any age,” she said. “If you’re under 50, be an associate member—you would just not be able to vote.”
The centre is looking to attract younger seniors to join. People who have not yet retired, or who have recently retired, have important skills and can keep activities relevant and fun. A return to more social activities is part of Hennessey’s vision for attracting new members.
“Some of the things we’d like to do is have more social links or just get-togethers, more so on weekends so that we can try and entice the younger seniors,” she said.
With the new board’s first meeting on the horizon, and plans for the membership to meet again in June, Hennessey said the welcome mat is out for new people and new ideas. But most importantly, the Bonnyville Seniors’ Drop-In Centre will continue to be a place for older adults to meet, contribute, and socialize.
“I just think it’s a good people place. It’s good for everyone and just keeps everyone feeling good about themselves and active,” she said.
“It’s a fun place to be. Seniors have a lot to tell us, and it’s such an enjoyable thing to get together. So come on down, have a coffee.”
