Stop by the Juan de Fuca 55-plus Seniors Activity Centre and youB次元官网网址檒l find a bustling place.

Just before noon on a recent day, a couple of dozen people were chowing down on a nutritious, home cooked lunch in the main hall, another group was arriving for a contract bridge session and on the lower floor of the expansive building, still more people were practising Hawaiian dance wearing colourful leis and outfits.

ItB次元官网网址檚 just another day at this Colwood recreational facility, say centre president Betty Smith and board member Evelyn Schumacher.

The association has around 1,300 members, each of whom brings their own life experiences to the table. Some are happy enough to simply participate in classes or activities at the centre, while others take their involvement a step further.

When the association gathered surveys as part of its annual membership drive this year, many people indicated theyB次元官网网址檇 be willing to teach a class or lead a program, Smith said.

B次元官网网址淥ur membership chair was overwhelmed by the response,B次元官网网址� she said.

At last count, the centre was offering 90 different classes, programs and groups, from numerous styles of dance to arts and crafts and fitness activities, all created by members whoB次元官网网址檝e shown an interest in them. B次元官网网址淎nd if we donB次元官网网址檛 offer it, we ask people to bring it forward,B次元官网网址� added Schumacher.

B次元官网网址淎ll of our leaders are volunteers, nobody is paid to teach a class,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e have retired doctors, nurses and other retired professionals who just continue what theyB次元官网网址檙e doing.B次元官网网址�

Sometimes itB次元官网网址檚 a person who takes a course with West Shore Parks and Recreation with the idea in mind of teaching it, then brings that knowledge to the centre to offer a program.

The centreB次元官网网址檚 nordic pole walking leader did just that, learning from former Olympian Linda Schaumleffel, and has been adding classes of late due to its popularity.

Schumacher took a similar route with line dancing, and wound up teaching a class at the centre. She says people often bring in outside interests.

B次元官网网址淭he active people are active everywhere, but the people who say thereB次元官网网址檚 nothing to do, well, thatB次元官网网址檚 their choice,B次元官网网址� she said.

That volunteer dynamic extends to the front office, the board of directors and all other aspects of the centreB次元官网网址檚 functions and activities. While West Shore Parks and Recreation owns the building and provides maintenance staff, anything to do with seniors services or activities is volunteer-based, which Smith believes makes this centre unique, at least in the Capital Region.

Even the bus drivers who transport centre members to various outings, from Chemainus Theatre day trips and Sunday dinners around the communities to multi-day, out-of-town excursions, volunteer their services.

In terms of membership, the average is as one might expect, in the 60s and 70s range, with retirees making up the bulk of members. That doesnB次元官网网址檛 stop still-working folks in their 50s from dropping in to take classes, Smith and Schumacher noted.

At the other end of the scale are the people who continue to stay active into their golden years.

B次元官网网址淲e have more than 30 over-90s,B次元官网网址� Smith said. She noted that a special tea is in the works for that group, who enjoy the perk of free membership.

For others, not everything is included in the $101 annual membership fee. Meals at the kitchen, while extremely reasonably priced, fall into that category. And members are asked to chip a couple quarters or a loonie every so often into the box at the main entrance, not to mention contributing a few bucks for gas on outings involving the bus.

The membership fees go straight to West Shore Parks and Recreation to cover the cost of renting the building, but the little contributions here and there serve as the centreB次元官网网址檚 operating funds.

The hope is to find some significant donations in the next couple years for a larger project.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e looking to raise around $80,000 to upgrade our kitchen, for a redesign,B次元官网网址� Schumacher said. The cooking facilities in the roughly 40-year-old building have volunteers B次元官网网址渞unning into each otherB次元官网网址� and could be a lot more efficient to handle the daily demand, she added.

In general, she and Smith said, the centre has provided a valuable service for the community.

B次元官网网址淲e have people who say the centre has been a lifesaver for them,B次元官网网址� Smith said. She recalled one member who was new to the area, having moved here to be near her children. B次元官网网址�(Joining the centre) gave her a reason to get out and be social.B次元官网网址� Another woman, recently widowed, B次元官网网址渢ries to do two things a weekB次元官网网址� to keep busy, Smith added.

The president has been a member here since 2008 and recalls her fist visit to this busy hub of activities.

B次元官网网址淚 had a friend who lived here and my husband and I had just moved here from Edmonton,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e came, had a tour and that was it, we were sold.B次元官网网址�

She soon recognized the unique nature of the organization, that anyone with a skill or talent they wish to share is encouraged to do so. Smith was a good organizer and before long found herself on the executive. Both she and Schumacher seem to enjoy giving back to the centre and helping it run smoothly and provide a great service for people 55 and over who are looking to keep their minds and bodies active.

B次元官网网址淭he more you put into an organization, the more youB次元官网网址檙e going to get out of it,B次元官网网址� Smith said.

The centreB次元官网网址檚 newsletter, entitled Expressions, features details about numerous upcoming activities and news from past outings or classes. It is available in hard copy at the centre, 1767 Island Hwy., or online at the main website, by clicking Expressions on the menu bar.

editor@goldstreamgazette.com