In a bright, sunny room at the corner of Noons Creek Drive and Ungless Way, the driving force behind the Port Moody Seniors Friendship Society gathered to point out some of the finishing touches on what will soon be a welcome gathering space for seniors.
There are several tables with chairs for meeting — or making — friends over a cup of coffee, comfortable sofas with coffee tables and a book shelf waiting to be filled. The walls are brightened with art work from the Port Moody Artists' Association and the kitchen will soon be fully equipped with a commercial stove and refrigerator.
And when it's up and running in early October, Gerry Nuttall and Ann Kitching hope to see a place where seniors can drop in, enjoy the company of others and maybe even some special events.
"The number of people who go days without interaction is scary," said Kitching. "I hope to hear lots of laughter in here — laughter is a healing thing."
Kitching and Nuttall have been hashing out the idea of a seniors' centre for about two years but the reality came together quite quickly once a location and council support was established.
Metro Vancouver is allowing the use of what was once a dining room at the Alex Graham Manor (the entrance is beside the door to Crossroads Hospice) rent free, and the city has committed start-up funds of just over $28,000 and ongoing operational funds of about $35,000 annually.
"The co-operation between Metro Vancouver, the city and the [Alex Graham] tenants' association has been very generous," Nuttall said, adding they gratefully accepted furniture donations from Canadian Tire in Coquitlam.
The space will be available to anyone over 50, Nuttall said, and won't be limited to Port Moody residents.
Details are still being finalized but it's expected there will be coffee, tea and light refreshments available, as well as occasional cooking demonstrations from board member Fred Soofi, the owner of Pasta Polo.
Nuttall said there could also be activities such as a card night, bingo and daytime or evening lectures.
One of the main goals is to purchase a bus to take seniors on excursions to destinations like Stanley Park, or to local events like the summer concert series at Rocky Point Park or a weekly shopping trip to Coquitlam Centre. The society is planning an August golf tournament to help raise money for the bus and other initiatives.
• The Port Moody Seniors Friendship Society is seeking volunteers and seniors who would be interested in joining focus groups to determine operating hours for the gathering space, membership and other matters; contact Gerry Nuttall at gnuttall@aol.com.
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