staff reporter
The Ridge Meadows Seniors Society is getting ready to hire staff and volunteers for a new recreation facility set to open later this year in Pitt Meadows.
The parks and leisure services department is finalizing plans for the new 9,500-square-foot seniors’ centre, which will form part of The Wesbrooke development, near the city’s civic centre.
It will be managed by seniors through a not-for-profit organization contracting with the Parks and Leisure Services Commission, but will be maintained by the developer and owner of The Wesbrooke.
In a report to council, parks general manager Kelly Swift said all aspects of the project are proceeding well and seniors are looking forward to the opening of the new facility.
Set to open in September, the centre will offer space for social activities, a large hall with a stage, arts and crafts room, a lounge, billiards room and administration offices.
The facility will be staffed a minimum of four hours a day, five days a week. But Swift said the hours of operation will increases once new and existing volunteers are trained to supervise the centre.
The city has a fee for service agreement with the Ridge Meadows Seniors Society, which includes $26,400 in funding to hire an additional staff person for the new facility.
The developer of the Wesbrooke will be responsible for janitorial duties and has contributed $120,000 towards equipping the facility.