Nanaimo Harbour City Seniors Society members have laid the path for new carpet bowling equipment.
According to Lucille Veasey, society member and part of the fundraising panel, the carpets that were being used were at least 40 years old and were showing wear and tear. While an application was made to the Canadian government’s New Horizons funding for seniors’ programs, it wasn’t successful, meaning the group had to raise money on its own.
“We did other fundraising, including such things as a 50/50 with two different silent auctions … we increased the fee that we charge for the carpet bowling, from 50 cents to $1 and the extra 50 cents obviously went in a special fund to buy the carpets,” said Veasey.
The City of Nanaimo also contributed money for the carpets, according to Veasey. In total, just over $14,000 was raised, she said.
Carpet bowling is less like bowling and more like bocce and provides seniors the chance to get active and much more, Veasey said.
“I feel this was a really good example of co-operation between individuals, the society and the city,” said Veasey. “Obviously the whole program of carpet bowling is very good in that you have a light exercise and socialization for a lot of people who are pretty well homebound. We have people who are bowling, who are well into their 80s and one gentleman, for example, is 98. It’s an incredible for exercise for so many people as you age.”
An open house to show off the new equipment takes place Friday (Oct. 13) at the Bowen Park activity centre at 12:30 p.m.
reporter@nanaimobulletin.com
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