Summary of what people told us... |
- Public Engagement Session
Cedar Hill Rec Centre June 7th , 6:45-8:00pm
Focus group discussion
7 people in attendance; 3 males, 4 females between ages 50-85 years
- What is going working well in Saanich Parks & Recreation?
- I use tennis courts and play pickleball. Two new outdoor pickleball courts will be built soon in Tolmie Park
- The big toy Playboxes in the park are working well. The person registers at the rec centre to get combination to the toy box, which are located at three different parks and must lock up when done for the day.
- My granddaughter attends an art class in Saanich and she lives in Colwood. She loves the class.
- Bird watching at Swan Lake
- Canada Day picnic at Gorge Park is only event in Saanich. Is there anything planned for the future, like Oak Bay
- Tea Party with a midway fair?
- There is the Strawberry Festival
- Community garden is very successful.
- Lending library is very active in CH New Horizons
- Parks:
- Walking tours and biking trails are well maintained
- Park maintenance is fabulous – gold star!
- Enjoy the trails in Saanich and living in areas with older seniors.
- Enjoy the trails around GR Pearkes Rec Centre and along the Gorge water way
- Enjoy Christmas Hill and music in the park
- Waterfront on Gorge Park and the walkway across on Gorge/Tillicum is beautiful
- Looking at future, what would be the perfect vision? What is missing?
- Accessible trails for everyone, late 70s or early 80s will not be using the trails as less mobile
- More men volunteers, as mostly women volunteer
- Create a trail connection from Swan Lake, Christmas Hill to Beckwith Park.
- Discussion: how people get use to the same folks in the group and not welcoming new members in CH New Horizons. What can Saanich do to be more welcoming?
- More transportation options between each rec centres and seniors centres.
- Commonwealth Rec Ctre does not have a button at the gymnasium door for handicap persons – it is very heavy.
- Have more awareness for financial assistance available or no charge programs for low-income seniors or senior who cannot afford to pay.
- More advertising from Saanich rec centres on lawn bowling.
- Suggestion to have a clear agreement with each bowling club for fairness as to what Saanich can help with.
- Gordon Head is self-sufficient; but we should do an agreement for the other lawn bowling clubs. Saanich should
- ask each bowling club on what we could do for you.
- Key contact in recreation to liaison between clubs, senior centres, rec centres and the senior programs.
- Aerobic classes at Commonwealth Pool draw a large crowd of participants – far for me to travel to the class; but I do enjoy the instructor.
- I don’t have anyone to walk with.
- I like the DOT on the page 10 and 11 (Older Adult Guide) to view the activity listing in the Older Adults booklet. It provides a quick reference to the activities.
- Seniors Centre comparisons & discussion:
- New Horizons for Cedar Hill need to look at expanding and offer more than 2 days a weeks – add card making classes, cooking, etc.
- Monterey Centre model in Oak Bay – would like to see the same type of senior centre in Saanich
- Monterey Centre has performing arts for theatre, choir and music and Saanich is lacking this for their seniors.
- Seniors in Saanich and other municipalities are signing up at Monterey Centre in Oak Bay because of the performing arts.
- Fee for senior centre and fee for rec centre are lower in cost.
- Lakehill Lawn bowling offers Tai Chi, board games, etc. as well, similar to senior centre
- Must join each senior centre separately in Saanich.
- Where do you get your information? Marketing comments;
- I look on the rec centre website
- Times Colonist newspaper
- Pick up flyers for rec centre and check Saanich City Hall for information and brochures
- Saanich news is the best way to advertise then TC. Seniors read the Saanich news.
- New Horizon Senior Centre put in a $400 ad and did not receive one response.
- The rec centre guides should have a separate section for seniors stating the entire programs available, even the ones with partners that seniors can attend.
- Pearkes Rec Ctre does not promote Silver Threads in Saanich – maybe cross marketing of partners would be good
- Use social media for promoting future programs.
- Older Adult Guide was discussed: not readily available at all centres
- (more awareness needed as to what is available)
- Suggestion to use type of grid in the Older Adult Guide in Active Living Guide – easy to understand, and then could look for the program in ALG
- What word or name makes you proud that you are a senior.
- Zoomers (some did not like this name)
- Senior should be age 60 or 65 not 55
- When you get an age discount, then you are a senior.