The Castlegar Seniors Centre located at the Castlegar and District Community Complex is open once again.
The centre closed down in March of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and then again at the end of December due to the Omicron outbreak.
“It was a long period of isolation for many and we tried to maintain contact and keep spirits up through the internet and phone calls,” says the Castlegar Seniors Branch 46 president Mac Gregory. “There is, however, nothing that compares to face-to-face contact and finally our seniors are able to gather together at the Seniors Center to do that.”
Gregory says all seniors 55+ are invited to drop in and give the activities a try before deciding on membership.
Because 2020 membership was cut so short, the Senior Citizens Association of B.C. and the Castlegar Senior Citizens association have carried 2020 memberships over to 2022. So people who paid for 2020 memberships will be paid-up as members for 2022. Unpaid or new members will pay the nominal $15 membership fee.
“We opened in the safest way possible, following the provincial and regional district guidelines so that we could provide the much-needed social interaction and activity for our members while keeping them safe,” said Gregory.
At the door, visitors will be greeted by a monitor who will ensure hands are sanitized, masks are worn (they must be worn at all times unless you are actually eating or drinking or involved in physical activity) and will scan B.C. Vaccination Cards. A sign-in sheet is maintained so that you don’t have to show your card at future visits.
The Seniors branch says, “Welcome back Seniors. Be Calm. Be Kind. Be Safe.”
Current activities include:
• Mondays – Darts 9:30 a.m. and Whist 1:00 p.m.
• Tuesdays – Carpet Bowling 9:30 a.m., Craft Group 1:00 p.m. Line Dancing 1:00 p.m.
• Wednesdays — Floor Curling 9:30 a.m., Rummoli 1 p.m.
• Fridays – Darts 9:30 a.m. and Crib at 1:00 p.m.
The Lounge is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.
A group of pool players usually gather on Tuesday evenings.
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betsy.kline@castlegarnews.com
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