With a surprising array of activities and entertainment, a kitchen that serves up delicious home-cooked meals, and a large membership, the Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre deserves its reputation as a hub for wellness and fun on the Sunshine Coast.
The SSAC takes its role seriously and works hard to provide many inducements to get people out and about. The Centre hosts Pickleball, Yoga, Bridge, Fitness & Line Dancing, Quilting, Memory Café, Carpet Bowling, and Poker. New activities like Badminton, Table Tennis, and Sunday morning Yin Yoga & Latin Dance are increasing in popularity. Fish & Chips Fridays are the biggest draw in the lunch room, while monthly live music dances provide a great reason to dress up and enjoy weekend socials. If there’s something you’d love to do, the SSAC would like to hear from you. There are seasonal celebrations too, including a popular Christmas luncheon.
The pandemic shut down many activities crucial to mental and physical health. While activities and lunchroom attendance levels are slowly getting closer to pre-pandemic levels, there are still people out there who are isolated. Many of us are finding that it takes an effort to rebuild the will (like a muscle) to get out and engage with others in our community. Eric Kristiansen, manager of the SSAC, emphasizes the importance of encouraging people to be social:
“With over twenty different activities each week, the SSAC has something to offer virtually every senior, but it will continue to take a concerted effort from family and friends in the community to reach out and help instill confidence that they can be socially and physically active once again.”
The Centre is delighted to welcome members back for a full slate of activities, events, and dine-in lunches, and it represents a valuable “zone of affordability” for seniors in our area. SSAC President Gillian Smith explains that all that the Centre offers hinges on member participation and volunteer hours:
“In these times of rising costs, the Centre is affordable and accessible because of all the time dedicated by volunteers. Thanks to them there is always plenty going on. We are so grateful to our members and volunteers. The Centre is starting to thrive once more.”
