Summary of what people told us... |
Gordon Head Public Engagement
Tuesday, May 31st
5 participants in Focus Groups – 2 representatives from Cordova Bay 55+ and 3 from Arthritis Society Waterworks aquafit class
When you think about the recreation centres, facilities, parks & trails in Saanich what makes them successful?
- From Cordova Bay 55+ perspective – what works well for our CB55+ centre:
- Volunteer drivers support CB members; exploring other options to increase as need is
great
- On The Go program engages oldest older adults, most over 80yrs who don’t get out
- Partnership/coordination of programs with Saanich works well
- Consideration has been given to the working 55+ when Saanich programs at night
- Offer lots of programs: walk your dog, bridge, exercise, chair yoga
- Pickleball is popular and we use the school for indoor, outdoor at McMinn Park
- Being attached to Elementary School is wonderful
- Lots of intergenerational programs: Gramma’s For Africa, knitting, photography
- Intergenerational events 6-8 times per year, helps with socialization, volunteers get programs going
Why the age 55+ ?
- Related to the notion that people start to think about retiring at 55, “Freedom 55+”
-Just finished their strategic plan
- Looking at expansion: outreach programs
What could Saanich Parks & Recreation do to support the socialization of older adults?
What is working well at Saanich Parks & Recreation? What is missing?
Tuesday, May 31st
5 participants in Focus Groups – 2 representatives from Cordova Bay 55+ and 3 from Arthritis Society Waterworks aquafit class
When you think about the recreation centres, facilities, parks & trails in Saanich what makes them successful?
- From Cordova Bay 55+ perspective – what works well for our CB55+ centre:
- Volunteer drivers support CB members; exploring other options to increase as need is
great
- On The Go program engages oldest older adults, most over 80yrs who don’t get out
- Partnership/coordination of programs with Saanich works well
- Consideration has been given to the working 55+ when Saanich programs at night
- Offer lots of programs: walk your dog, bridge, exercise, chair yoga
- Pickleball is popular and we use the school for indoor, outdoor at McMinn Park
- Being attached to Elementary School is wonderful
- Lots of intergenerational programs: Gramma’s For Africa, knitting, photography
- Intergenerational events 6-8 times per year, helps with socialization, volunteers get programs going
Why the age 55+ ?
- Related to the notion that people start to think about retiring at 55, “Freedom 55+”
-Just finished their strategic plan
- Looking at expansion: outreach programs
What could Saanich Parks & Recreation do to support the socialization of older adults?
- Drivers for older adults through Saanich Volunteer services
- Provide meals
- Tuesday mornings are presentation days for everyone to enjoy
- Raised beds, gardening (didn’t go at CB55)
- Most find out about things through word of mouth, or mailout
- Email
- Newsletter from CB55 – 4X year, services could be included
- Doctors, physios need to be updated on home & community resources
- Build relationships
- Enlist retired doctors to assist with informing GPs
What is working well at Saanich Parks & Recreation? What is missing?
- Waterworks Participants – came in separately after class
- Class is open to public but instructor is trained by the Arthritis Society so good for those with physical challenges
- Gordon Head pool is good because pool is close to changerooms, not a long walk
- We are a very sociable group and enjoy seeing each other
- Social part is very important
- Want to come to place that is closest to home
- Instructor for Waterworks is wonderful, and is 83years old!!
- Other aquafit classes are too energetic for us
- Need water 1 degree warmer for people with arthritis
- Need more hand held showers – easier to wash
- Would come more often if it was offered more than 2X week
- Would come on a weekend? 2 – yes 1 – no
- It would be nice to schedule classes around when young families are in changerooms – room is crowded with strollers, and toddlers and create tripping and falling hazards – very dangerous for us.
- Families tend to use the changerooms, hand held shower which we need
- Summer is very busy with children and noisy so don’t come
- Avoid times when swim lessons are on
- Would be nice to have more space during a class – maybe one less swim lane – lifeguards could monitor group size
- Special events can take up pakrng and can’t get close enough to walk – it would best if events could be scheduled to start at 11:00am instead of 10:00am so we could be out by then
- Don’ t come is special event is on