The Okanagan Mission Senior Centre Society celebrated 50 years of memories and fun this Saturday at their beloved centre on Hobson Road.

Cake was cut, stories swapped, art was displayed and history was relived through old photo albums during the party that drew people of all ages to celebrate the society香蕉视频直播檚 50 years in the building they香蕉视频直播檝e called home since 1973.

Cake was cut and served in celebration of the Okanagan Mission Senior Centre Society's 50th anniversary on Saturday, July 27, 2019. (Caitlin Clow - 香蕉视频直播)

But, underlying the buzz of the celebration, and music by the talented Ben Klick, was uncertainty, as the future of the Okanagan Mission Activity Centre remains unknown.

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The centre is a special place for more than 300 senior members said president Grace Egeland. But it香蕉视频直播檚 possible the centre, otherwise known as Dawe香蕉视频直播檚 House, could be demolished to enlarge the park space at Sarsons Beach and increase the parking lot.

He added that 香蕉视频直播渘o firm decisions香蕉视频直播� have been made at this time regarding the future of the beloved activity centre.

Parks and building planning manager Robert Parlane, with the City of Kelowna, said the demolition slated for 2020 is not the activity centre, rather it香蕉视频直播檚 another structure on the southern portion of the property. The city is, however, going to remove the hedging and fencing to expand the green space near Sarsons Beach, he said.

香蕉视频直播淔rom the second I walked in here香蕉视频直播� I immediately saw and felt the value of this place,香蕉视频直播� Kelowna-Lake Country MP Stephen Fuhr said to the more than 100 attendees at the anniversary party.

香蕉视频直播淭his space is amazing,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淚t means a lot for the people here in the community and it香蕉视频直播檚 definitely worth keeping.香蕉视频直播�

He said although the issue is not in the federal jurisdiction, he would do anything he can to use his influence to advocate for the space.

香蕉视频直播淭he City of Kelowna is really, really proud of the seniors香蕉视频直播� centre,香蕉视频直播� city councillor and deputy mayor Maxine DeHart said. 香蕉视频直播淚 don香蕉视频直播檛 think there is a better location in the city to have a building like this.香蕉视频直播�

Parlane said the City of Kelowna purchased the former residence in 1973 and converted for community use.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 really not well designed for community use,香蕉视频直播� he said.

But, it has great views and it香蕉视频直播檚 very popular with the people who use it, he added.

香蕉视频直播淭he home was bought with the intention of creating beach access,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淭here were no conditions upon purchase.香蕉视频直播�

Seniors Minister Filomena Tassi visited the centre alongside Fuhr during last month香蕉视频直播檚 visit to the Kelowna area and praised the centre and the society for all they do, Fuhr explained.

Egeland said instead of demolition, she would rather see fundraising and renovations to upgrade the waterfront space, which is owned by the City of Kelowna and available for .

香蕉视频直播淲e want our home,香蕉视频直播� she said.

Parlane said renovations could be an option.

香蕉视频直播淣o decisions have been made, so I can香蕉视频直播檛 say yes or no,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淚t has to be an option on the table until decisions are made.香蕉视频直播�

The city香蕉视频直播檚 capital plan has proposed the construction of a new activity centre at Mission Recreation Park and Parlane said the development of a new centre could render the Sarsons Beach house redundant.

Talk of designating a seniors香蕉视频直播� activity centre near the H2O Adventure and Fitness Centre doesn香蕉视频直播檛 leave a good taste in the president香蕉视频直播檚 mouth. She said the cement building with small windows inside the centre won香蕉视频直播檛 ever have the same magic or homey vibe that the senior members love so much about their current location.

香蕉视频直播淚f the place came down,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淚 can香蕉视频直播檛 see myself working hard for the society in a place that香蕉视频直播檚 not worthwhile.香蕉视频直播�

Parlane said community consultation would be undertaken if a new centre is to be constructed to create a 香蕉视频直播渨elcoming centre.香蕉视频直播�

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Caitlin.clow@kelownacapnews.com
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