The Fernie Senior’s Drop-in Centre held an open house to share their newly renovated centre. The renovations started on July 1 and were funded by grants and donations totaling $160,000.
Jim Booth, senior’s centre president made a presentation thanking contractors like Jordan Earl Contracting, for their timely hard work and funders for their generous donations.
The centre has new durable Evok laminate flooring, a new kitchen and bathrooms, furniture, two televisions, and a storage room.
The centre is open from 9 am to 1 pm Monday through Thursday for coffee, baking and light lunches.
The hall has a seating capacity of 100 and is available for rent. There is also a computer station with Internet donated by Shaw Cable. A pool table, shuffleboard, television, darts, puzzles, library, tables and a new sofa decorate the games room. The centre also hosts mahjong, bridge, crib and dominoes.
Seniors collected money to transform the building that used to be a fire hall into a senior’s centre in 1981. The building is owned by the City of Fernie and Cam Mertz, director of leisure services, lead the executive to a $25,000 grant from New Horizons. MLA Bill Bennett recommended a gaming grant that brought in $60,000. Columbia Basin Trust contributed $25,000 and Teck donated $50,000.
Mayor Mary Giuliano and Tammy Ogden of Teck both made speeches to guests. “I would like to extend thanks to the executive for their initiative and leadership in making these supreme changes to this building,” said Mayor Giuliano.
Currently the senior’s centre has a membership of 220 people. Anyone over the age of 18 can be a member at a cost of $10 per year. The centre is located across the street from City Hall at 562-3rd Avenue.
To become a member or rent the main hall, drop by the centre or call Jim Booth at 250-423-7656 or Guy Clusiault at 250-423-4094.