Survey launched to discuss the future of recreation programming for residents aged 55 and older

The District of Squamish, in collaboration with a steering group of committed residents, has launched a survey to collect feedback on recreation and culture programming for residents aged 55 and older. Results of the survey will be used to inform a staff recommendation to District of Squamish Council on how to best deliver recreation programming for residents aged 55 and older in Squamish going forward.

Programming will be offered for the 55+ community across three facilities - Brennan Park Recreation Centre (BPRC), The 55 Activity Centre, and the Westwinds Seniors Hub, which is the newly acquired space in the new Westwinds Seniors Living Building.

The survey is now live at: https://survey.alchemer-ca.com/s3/50123132/2718b8ccaf53. It will be available through October 4, 2021.

“It is more important than ever to ensure we have a scalable plan for the future to meet the needs of our growing, aging population, across a wide range of interests and abilities,” says District of Squamish Mayor Karen Elliott. “We have an opportunity to meet a broader spectrum of needs with the addition of more space at Westwinds, and we’re keen to hear what the 55+ community has to say to help us shape programming in the future at all three of these important facilities.” 

The steering group, comprised of volunteers aged 55 and older, identified three key focus areas for recreation programming for their age group:

• Fitness and health programming
• Arts, culture, and education programming
• Social connections

The steering group is a result of a larger engagement strategy that was presented to Council in March 2021 with two goals:

• Acquire community group feedback to provide seniors programming that is inclusive and reflects community needs and interests
• To provide recreational programming that best considers the social and physical wellbeing of seniors, and that moves toward a neighbourhood hub model

The neighbourhood hub model will see recreation programming offered at three facilities – BPRC, The 55 and Westwinds. The introduction of the Westwinds Seniors Hub, which is expected to open fall 2022 and add approximately 4,000 square feet of space for 55+ programming, presents a unique opportunity to evaluate current programming, the locations these programs are best suited to, and to plan for new programs. Each of the three facilities offer unique equipment and physical space.

Quick Links

The Seniors Recreation Programming Engagement strategy can be found here.

More information on this project can be found here.

September 17, 2021