Every Wednesday, a handful of seniors gather at Bowen Park activity centre.
They play games like snooker and carpet bowling or engage in arts and crafts.
But perhaps more importantly, they laugh, share stories and enjoy their time together.
For Nanaimo resident Sheila Lindsay, it is something that she looks forward to each and every week.
“I am a 24-hour-a-day caregiver for two people in my home and I look forward to this day. It is a goal for me. I can get through my week because I know I am coming here,” Lindsay said. “It gives me something to look forward to.”
Lindsay, along with the other seniors, are members of the Nanaimo Harbour City Seniors, an organization that offers people over the age of 60 a range of activities and social opportunities.
“There is such a variety of choices that there is always something to do,” Lindsay said.
On March 8, Nanaimo Harbour City Seniors hosts an open house at Bowen Park complex from 1-3 p.m. The event will feature demonstrations of some of the activities that are available to club members. There will also be refreshments available.
Joanne Husband, club director, said the open house is an opportunity for seniors, particularly those who have just moved to the city, to learn about the organization and the types of activities and programs that it offers.
“If you are new to town and you’ve heard that there is a sewing class at Bowen, you can come here and find out from the people who are actually doing the sewing class and what it consists of,” Husband said.
Among the countless activities available to club members throughout the week are embroidery, snooker, tai chi, euchre, darts, table tennis, quilting, wood carving, pottery, as well as dance nights, language classes, music groups and walking groups.
The majority of activities are held at Bowen Park complex, however some activities take place at Oliver Woods Community Centre, Departure Bay Activity Centre, Rotary Field House, Harewood Activity Centre and Beban Park social centre.
Since joining Harbour City Seniors more than five months ago, Lindsay said she has met all kinds of new people.
“In the short time I’ve been here, I’ve met more than, I would say, between 25 and 30 people and I know them by name,” she said. “It is just a wonderful place to be.”
Burt Simmons, a member of the club for more than 30 years, said it’s the friendships, social interaction and the activities that cause him to renew his membership year after year.
“As you get older the world shrinks. You don’t travel as much and you have a little bit of trouble with hearing and memory and all sorts of wonderful things like that,” he said. “It is important that you can get out of the house and play a game that is not overly exertive.”
In addition to activities, the club organizes a number of group trips throughout the year to destinations such as Bamfield, Chemainus, Duncan, Ladysmith, Tofino, Ucluelet, Victoria and Vancouver.
Membership is $41 per year or $11 for one month. The age requirement to join is 60, however the requirement is waived for those members whose spouses or partners are under 60 and wish to join. There is no residential requirement. Please visit www.nanaimoharbourcityseniors.com.