Summary of what people told us... |
A group of regular Aquafit participants who regularly socialize after class.
6 Participants
What is working well for older adults in Saanich recreation?
- The pool is getting very crowded, finding less availability b/c of the large waterfit class
and trying to fit in lane swimming and swim lessons at the same time.
- Times for waterfit classes are good, don’t change them for the summer. 9:00am is
convenient, an earlier start time would make it difficult to older adults.
- Love the people at the centre – staff – patrons – everyone feels welcome – the
location is perfect – there’s cooperation amongst everyone - everyone is pleasant.
- Lobby is inviting
- Open space invites intergenerational mix, separate rooms doesn’t
- Feels like family, everyone knows each other, their names and familiar faces. When
one of the regulars misses a class everyone is aware and makes notice.
- Regular waterfitters share phone numbers, which has created comfort knowing
someone cares.
- When new participants take part the group always makes an extra effort to welcome
them into the group.
- Staff at the centre make a huge difference, always greeting them with a smile and
making the effort to know their names.
- Lifeguards, even though very young, are always aware of their surroundings and also
make an effort to get to know the patrons.
- Staff are always accessible, willing to listen, caring, remember the little things about
participants. They also are always willing to take part in the coffee parties.
- Morning classes, not evening. By the time night rolls around older adults are tired and
tend to want to stay home.
-The glass wall looking into the gym from the pool, has been motivating as they can see
others working out. It’s also acted as a social connection by allowing patrons to wave
and take notice of one another during a workout.
- Glass wall can be great for role modellling that the gym isn’t just for young people
- Great to have the cubbyholes on the pool deck.
- Moon Festival is a wonderful event. Why not more events or festivals at Gordon
Head? Maybe celebrate other cultures or events.
- Moon Festival is the most marvellous thing. Look to other cultures for other events
- I recently lost my wife and the ability to stay connected and the social support of the
group helped so much during a very difficult time.
- Bigger space for larger waterfit socials (ie Vasakhi) Would like the opportunity for more
people to be involved and in order to do so the lobby is too small a space. Possibly 2
large events per year.
- The importance of music and choice of music for an older crowd. Music they like
makes them more aware, willing to listen and work harder, we trained the instructors
- We like music from the 50’s
- Lots of participants use the
weightroom prior to waterfit classes. Services offered thru
the pool and gym have been a major support in my rehabilitation.
- Its’ great that the change rooms are so close to the pool, which can be very hard on
the elderly to have to travel a long distance to access the pool.
In an ideal world what would you see in the future for parks & recreation? What would you like to see 5 yr from now?
- Not lose any waterfit time, especially with the pool being so busy, like to have the
whole pool without other distractions.
- Private lessons during waterfit times are very disruptive to the class and instructors.
- However also positive in a since the older adults get to see the kids playing in the pool.
- The waterfit class is so valuable, would hate to lose that due to busyness of the pool.
- Don’t want the times changed in the summer to earlier, too hard to attend.
- Second pool of the same size although if GH gets too big they might lose that
community feel.
- Sometimes private lessons during waterfit is distracting.
- Private lessons seem very random with no set schedule.
- Change rooms become very tight when parents bring families in. Maybe better use of
the family change rooms will help alleviate that.
- Need area for strollers.
- Could families be reminded there are family changerooms.
- Summer outdoor space, somewhere to sit in the shade with tables & chairs.
- Better spacing of classes, waterfit, lessons, lanes so everyone has their space and
ample space.
- Evening waterfit classes tend to be a different younger crowd, working people.
- Commonwealth doesn’t have that community feeling. Also the tiles in the pool are very
slippery. The changing rooms are a long distance from the pool.
- Oak Bay pool is very cold.
- Commonwealth weightroom is very dark.
- The importance of waterfit not only for fitness but also for rehab purposes, arthritis.
- Involved in a horrific car accident but the options to stay fit prior and after the accident,
saved me.
- More stationary bikes in the gym.
- Better sign in system for machines.
- Treadmills – love the Woodway and always a demand for that piece.
- Cardio sign in board is hard to see and should be moved into a location for easier
viewing.
- New black out shading on the windows in front of cardio pieces are not dark enough.
- Benches in the change rooms should be a bit higher, maybe chair height. Older adults
find it difficult to crouch so low, hips must be higher than knees when sitting.
- Always open to all ages joining them in waterfit and the socials.
- Larger sign in the shower area to please shower before entering the pool.
- Couches and chairs in lobby not comfortable, too low and too soft.
- Always need to learn to adapt and be open to any change.
- Reliable coffee machine.
- Better sound system in the pool.
What word would make you feel proud of your age?
- Proud to be a senior and especially an active one!
-“Survivor”, “Active”
- No need to define ages in programs, maybe just abilities.
- I’m just me.
- Don’t care what you call us – just call us!
How do you feel about the security in the pool?
- Always feel safe in the morning.
- Make sure to only bring items necessary, no valuables.
- Feel safe to just leave items hanging in the change rooms or left in the cubbies in the
pool deck.
Where do you look for information on programs and schedules?
- Signs in the facility, individuals to spread through word of mouth, announcements at
events such as the coffee parties.
- Computer not the best way to communicate, we don’t use social media (the average
age of the group was around 73 years).
- We “Live in a world of old words” - I don’t like Mission statements, words like
“inclusive” and all that.
- Programmers from other centres could come to our coffee parties.
- Don’t think things online catch our age group.
- I remember having the phone on the wall!
At what point did you feel you were a senior?
- On the inside not a senior. Even after they had retired. Never consider themselves as
being a senior.
6 Participants
What is working well for older adults in Saanich recreation?
- The pool is getting very crowded, finding less availability b/c of the large waterfit class
and trying to fit in lane swimming and swim lessons at the same time.
- Times for waterfit classes are good, don’t change them for the summer. 9:00am is
convenient, an earlier start time would make it difficult to older adults.
- Love the people at the centre – staff – patrons – everyone feels welcome – the
location is perfect – there’s cooperation amongst everyone - everyone is pleasant.
- Lobby is inviting
- Open space invites intergenerational mix, separate rooms doesn’t
- Feels like family, everyone knows each other, their names and familiar faces. When
one of the regulars misses a class everyone is aware and makes notice.
- Regular waterfitters share phone numbers, which has created comfort knowing
someone cares.
- When new participants take part the group always makes an extra effort to welcome
them into the group.
- Staff at the centre make a huge difference, always greeting them with a smile and
making the effort to know their names.
- Lifeguards, even though very young, are always aware of their surroundings and also
make an effort to get to know the patrons.
- Staff are always accessible, willing to listen, caring, remember the little things about
participants. They also are always willing to take part in the coffee parties.
- Morning classes, not evening. By the time night rolls around older adults are tired and
tend to want to stay home.
-The glass wall looking into the gym from the pool, has been motivating as they can see
others working out. It’s also acted as a social connection by allowing patrons to wave
and take notice of one another during a workout.
- Glass wall can be great for role modellling that the gym isn’t just for young people
- Great to have the cubbyholes on the pool deck.
- Moon Festival is a wonderful event. Why not more events or festivals at Gordon
Head? Maybe celebrate other cultures or events.
- Moon Festival is the most marvellous thing. Look to other cultures for other events
- I recently lost my wife and the ability to stay connected and the social support of the
group helped so much during a very difficult time.
- Bigger space for larger waterfit socials (ie Vasakhi) Would like the opportunity for more
people to be involved and in order to do so the lobby is too small a space. Possibly 2
large events per year.
- The importance of music and choice of music for an older crowd. Music they like
makes them more aware, willing to listen and work harder, we trained the instructors
- We like music from the 50’s
- Lots of participants use the
weightroom prior to waterfit classes. Services offered thru
the pool and gym have been a major support in my rehabilitation.
- Its’ great that the change rooms are so close to the pool, which can be very hard on
the elderly to have to travel a long distance to access the pool.
In an ideal world what would you see in the future for parks & recreation? What would you like to see 5 yr from now?
- Not lose any waterfit time, especially with the pool being so busy, like to have the
whole pool without other distractions.
- Private lessons during waterfit times are very disruptive to the class and instructors.
- However also positive in a since the older adults get to see the kids playing in the pool.
- The waterfit class is so valuable, would hate to lose that due to busyness of the pool.
- Don’t want the times changed in the summer to earlier, too hard to attend.
- Second pool of the same size although if GH gets too big they might lose that
community feel.
- Sometimes private lessons during waterfit is distracting.
- Private lessons seem very random with no set schedule.
- Change rooms become very tight when parents bring families in. Maybe better use of
the family change rooms will help alleviate that.
- Need area for strollers.
- Could families be reminded there are family changerooms.
- Summer outdoor space, somewhere to sit in the shade with tables & chairs.
- Better spacing of classes, waterfit, lessons, lanes so everyone has their space and
ample space.
- Evening waterfit classes tend to be a different younger crowd, working people.
- Commonwealth doesn’t have that community feeling. Also the tiles in the pool are very
slippery. The changing rooms are a long distance from the pool.
- Oak Bay pool is very cold.
- Commonwealth weightroom is very dark.
- The importance of waterfit not only for fitness but also for rehab purposes, arthritis.
- Involved in a horrific car accident but the options to stay fit prior and after the accident,
saved me.
- More stationary bikes in the gym.
- Better sign in system for machines.
- Treadmills – love the Woodway and always a demand for that piece.
- Cardio sign in board is hard to see and should be moved into a location for easier
viewing.
- New black out shading on the windows in front of cardio pieces are not dark enough.
- Benches in the change rooms should be a bit higher, maybe chair height. Older adults
find it difficult to crouch so low, hips must be higher than knees when sitting.
- Always open to all ages joining them in waterfit and the socials.
- Larger sign in the shower area to please shower before entering the pool.
- Couches and chairs in lobby not comfortable, too low and too soft.
- Always need to learn to adapt and be open to any change.
- Reliable coffee machine.
- Better sound system in the pool.
What word would make you feel proud of your age?
- Proud to be a senior and especially an active one!
-“Survivor”, “Active”
- No need to define ages in programs, maybe just abilities.
- I’m just me.
- Don’t care what you call us – just call us!
How do you feel about the security in the pool?
- Always feel safe in the morning.
- Make sure to only bring items necessary, no valuables.
- Feel safe to just leave items hanging in the change rooms or left in the cubbies in the
pool deck.
Where do you look for information on programs and schedules?
- Signs in the facility, individuals to spread through word of mouth, announcements at
events such as the coffee parties.
- Computer not the best way to communicate, we don’t use social media (the average
age of the group was around 73 years).
- We “Live in a world of old words” - I don’t like Mission statements, words like
“inclusive” and all that.
- Programmers from other centres could come to our coffee parties.
- Don’t think things online catch our age group.
- I remember having the phone on the wall!
At what point did you feel you were a senior?
- On the inside not a senior. Even after they had retired. Never consider themselves as
being a senior.