The Good News about Community Centres

THERE IS MORE GOOD NEWS IN THE WORLD THAN BAD

Paulo and Brianna were having their annual financial update with Roman their Financial Advisor.

While they were reviewing their budget. Paulo said “money is pretty tight right now. Could we take a little more from my RRIF and not run out of money later?”

Looking through their various expense categories, Roman noticed their entertainment costs were up by $400/mo from the previous year. Paulo tried to gloss over this increase, however, Brianna too, was surprised. “Why are they so high?,” she asked.

Sheepishly he replied, ”This covers the night I go out by myself to the pub and have a few beers. Since I retired I do not talk to or see many people and at the pub I connect and meet people.” There was a pause then the conversation moved on but Roman came back to Paulo’s comment.

Recognizing Paulo’s need for companionship and that the pub was often the source of it, Roman asked, “Are there other places you could go which are less expensive and you can meet and mix with others?” There was no response.

Roman thought for a moment then asked if there was a Community Centre close by.

“Yes,“ said Brianna “I drive by one every day. It is about 15 minutes from here.“

“The reason I mention it, said Roman, is that Community Centres were started to meet the needs of the community. They cater to people from all walks of life and offer many programmes, many family related. They are a great place to socialize and meet other people and they are not expensive. In fact, I often go to one myself.”

Intrigued, Paulo pulled out his iphone. He was amazed at what he found. Under fitness programmes he found swimming, aqua fit, a gym and walking track, yoga, pilates, total body toning, a mind, body and core programme, line dancing, skating. squash and, recently added, pickle ball.

There were other non-athletic programmes and services too, including bridge, euchre, crafts, meeting rooms, special lectures, social trips, including an annual outing to peach country, and many more.

This particular community centre also had an affiliated library. The library had many programmes and facilities including movie discussion groups, computer training programmes, children’s programmes, public lectures, movie rentals and of course, books.

Added Roman, “Community Centres also reach out to people in the community in other ways. In fact, several weeks ago I noticed a large group of people wandering around the lobby, looking confused. I found out they were a group of refugees who were there to take advantage of the free programmes that were being offered to them.

One can pay for most of the programmes individually, or quarterly, or monthly. One could also have an annual membership which covered almost everything. This cost for an all inclusive membership at this community centre was only $600.*

Swimming, for example, was $25/mo if paid for separately. Furthermore the membership was good for any of the community centres in the city.

Both Paulo and Brianna were intrigued, they penciled in $150/month to cover the memberships for the two of them at the community centre and reduced the pub night costs to $200/mo.

Roman then reviewed their investments, answered a few other questions and suggested they not increase their income from their RRIF.

Fast Forward 1 year: Time for another review. Roman was met by a more upbeat couple.

The reason, in part, was they had followed up on the idea of exploring activities at the Community Centre.

The first decision they made was they would both try the community centre and try to find a programme each would enjoy, occurring at the same time.

Paulo, who had played tennis periodically over the years, had heard about the tremendous surge in interest in pickle ball and decided to play pickle ball once a week.

Brianna chose warm water aqua fit. They also decided to play bridge, something they used to do, many years ago.

At the first pickle ball event Paulo ran into an old friend from high school and they found themselves renewing their former friendship. Brianna enjoyed both the workout and camaraderie of her aqua fit class. She also enjoyed watching the toddlers in an introduction to water programme, splashing and jumping in the water with their mothers or fathers or grandmothers just before her aqua fit class.

She told her daughter about this and every week her daughter and granddaughter came to a class just before her aqua fit. Having extra time with her daughter and granddaughter was a big bonus.

While not proficient at bridge, they met many new people and it was an activity they could do together.

They were both keen readers and spent a lot of money every year buying new books. By using the library they saved a lot of money, enough so they could go out together once a week to the pub.

They also found the equipment and facilities were first rate, and the employees super nice. They concluded the public money spent on community centres and libraries so everyone could afford to go, was public money well spent.

Till next time,

Chris Snyder
Climate Optimist

Email: snyderchris74@gmail.com
Stories of Good News and Hope: https://chrissnyder.makeanimpact.ca

*The $600 per year was the cost at one centre. Most centres had their own mix of programs and prices.

In fact, Mississauga offers free fitness memberships to those 65+. Other communities also offer reduced membership costs.

Toronto offers free memberships at 10 of their centres.

Author’s Note – I’m pleased to announce my latest book is now available. The further Good News about this book priced at $34.95: It is available to readers of the blog for the special price of $29.95. Use discount code GOODNEWS at checkout to purchase your copy at:

https://hilborn-civilsectorpress.com/products/52-good-news-stories