A Brief History of the CSSCA
The Beginning – January 1979 to August 1982
• The Central Saanich Senior Citizens Association began in 1979, championed by the efforts of Ken Garland.
• The first regular meeting of the CSSCA was held in January 1980 at the Lions Hall. The first president of the CSSCA was Gladys Delbrouck. The CSSCA and the Central Saanich Lions agreed a new home was required.
• The membership started with 12 members, and as programs and activities increased – membership increased, which resulted in a need for a new facility.
• A $5000 grant was received from New Horizons for carpet bowling and bingo equipment.
• The Mayor (David Hill) proclaimed June 1982 as Senior Citizen’s month.
• Programs and outings increased – the number of members increased to over 80.
• Fundraising was conducted through a variety of activities at the Lions Hall and grant applications.
The New Home – September 1982 to November 1983
• A CSSCA member, Lea King, was a citizen on Central Saanich’s APC. She became aware that Council had been given a house, which had to be moved due to a new development.
• On September 9, 1982 the CSSCA requested it be allowed to take over the house.
• Council agreed to the request and agreed to excavate the site and move the house. A five year lease was agreed to and the new Facility opened in November 1983. Council provided a grant of $5000 for completion of the foundation, provided the seniors did not ask for any further funds for construction or operations.
• A building committee, chaired by Lea King, was formed on September 16, 1982 to coordinate the move and rebuilding of the house. The Central Saanich Lions provided considerable support for the project.
• The CSSCA became a registered society on November 5, 1982 under the BC Societies Act and a registered charity on January 1, 1983.
• The House was placed on its new foundation on January 20, 1983. Two-year loans in the amount of $15,420 (at no interest) were provided by some members to help bridge the funds required.
• The transformation of the house took considerable time and effort on the part of members, trade professionals, local businesses, etc. Butler Brothers Building Supplies assisted by providing a 10% discount on all purchases plus unlimited credit and a waiver of interest charges on accounts past 30 days.
• A New Horizon’s grant of $15,000 was used for the plumbing, electrical and window portions of the project.
• The basement floor was completed on May 14, 1983. On July 26, 1983 grants were received from the Seniors’ Lottery and BC Lotteries in the amounts of $12,000 and $21,866. A grant was also received from the Vancouver Foundation in September, 1983.
• The grant monies raised by the Building Committee allowed for the official opening on November 4, 1983. The total project cost was $70,424 versus funds raised of $77,286. The excess was used to reduce the member loans.
• During the period Membership increased to approximately 200 members.
The Expansion – January 1984 to December 1992
• In 1987 Lyla Walker proposed an expanded facility due to a growing membership.
• The Building Committee, chaired by Harry Wellman, entered into discussions with the District at the same time as a new Library was being planned.
• Fundraising through a two-day fun fair and other events were organized during a four-year period from 1987 to 1990. Donations were also received.
• Discussions with the District’s Council resulted in an agreement where the District’s staff would monitor the project including tendering, permits, progress, etc. Plans included an addition with 2 stories encompassing 45 ft. by 60 ft. Don McPherson was the architect and Prime Construction was the contractor.
• The project commenced with an official sod-turning ceremony in March 1991 and included the requirement to repay the District over a period of time. Mayor Ted Jones and MLA Mel Couvelier participated in the ceremony.
• The additional building space was completed in 1992, ten years after the CSSCA was formally made a Society.
• The Central Saanich Lions supported the expansion.
Continued Growth – January 1993 to December 2004
• Continued improvements in the facilities (e.g., new flooring, entry mural, main office, etc.) and programs (e.g., Scottish Country Dancing, Shuffleboard, Walking Group, Aerobics, Choir, etc.).
• Membership expands to approximately 250 members. Membership is open to any area resident who is 50 years old or older.
• Fundraising has primarily focused on membership dues and bingo. Most programs are provided at no cost.
• The Society celebrated its 20th anniversary as a Society in 2002. The Queen’s Golden Jubilee was also in 2002.
• In 2005 the Society celebrated its 25th anniversary based on the date it was formed; attended by BC’s Lieutenant Governor, Iona Campagnola.
Recent History – January 2005 to 2012
• The CSSCA has continued to improve its facilities (e.g., new flooring, new office equipment, etc.) and programs (e.g., Scottish Country Dancing, Shuffleboard, Walking Group, Aerobics, Choir, etc.).
• Membership has expanded to approximately 300 members.
• For 2011, a New Horizon’s grant allowed for the hiring of a contract Programs Coordinator (George Collussi -- 2011-2012). Programs are supported by 80 volunteers and several paid instructors.
• In the fall of 2010, an application for funds to repair the existing roof was made to the District’s Council. The request for 2011 funding was denied.
• In August 2011 a new fundraising committee was formed to raise funds for a new roof and other essential repairs. A second request to Central Saanich Council was made in 2011.
• In September 2011, an application for a New Horizon’s grant for 2012 was submitted. The purpose of the grant is to support a program to support all seniors in the community.
• During 2012 a new roof, thermal windows, new flooring and other upgrades were installed.
• As a formal Society, the CSSCA was 30 years old in 2012. It was 30 years since the original house was moved to its current site and 20 years since the new addition was added. The year 2012 was also the 30th anniversary of Senior Citizen’s month in Central Saanich and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
• The Central Saanich Senior Citizens Association began in 1979, championed by the efforts of Ken Garland.
• The first regular meeting of the CSSCA was held in January 1980 at the Lions Hall. The first president of the CSSCA was Gladys Delbrouck. The CSSCA and the Central Saanich Lions agreed a new home was required.
• The membership started with 12 members, and as programs and activities increased – membership increased, which resulted in a need for a new facility.
• A $5000 grant was received from New Horizons for carpet bowling and bingo equipment.
• The Mayor (David Hill) proclaimed June 1982 as Senior Citizen’s month.
• Programs and outings increased – the number of members increased to over 80.
• Fundraising was conducted through a variety of activities at the Lions Hall and grant applications.
The New Home – September 1982 to November 1983
• A CSSCA member, Lea King, was a citizen on Central Saanich’s APC. She became aware that Council had been given a house, which had to be moved due to a new development.
• On September 9, 1982 the CSSCA requested it be allowed to take over the house.
• Council agreed to the request and agreed to excavate the site and move the house. A five year lease was agreed to and the new Facility opened in November 1983. Council provided a grant of $5000 for completion of the foundation, provided the seniors did not ask for any further funds for construction or operations.
• A building committee, chaired by Lea King, was formed on September 16, 1982 to coordinate the move and rebuilding of the house. The Central Saanich Lions provided considerable support for the project.
• The CSSCA became a registered society on November 5, 1982 under the BC Societies Act and a registered charity on January 1, 1983.
• The House was placed on its new foundation on January 20, 1983. Two-year loans in the amount of $15,420 (at no interest) were provided by some members to help bridge the funds required.
• The transformation of the house took considerable time and effort on the part of members, trade professionals, local businesses, etc. Butler Brothers Building Supplies assisted by providing a 10% discount on all purchases plus unlimited credit and a waiver of interest charges on accounts past 30 days.
• A New Horizon’s grant of $15,000 was used for the plumbing, electrical and window portions of the project.
• The basement floor was completed on May 14, 1983. On July 26, 1983 grants were received from the Seniors’ Lottery and BC Lotteries in the amounts of $12,000 and $21,866. A grant was also received from the Vancouver Foundation in September, 1983.
• The grant monies raised by the Building Committee allowed for the official opening on November 4, 1983. The total project cost was $70,424 versus funds raised of $77,286. The excess was used to reduce the member loans.
• During the period Membership increased to approximately 200 members.
The Expansion – January 1984 to December 1992
• In 1987 Lyla Walker proposed an expanded facility due to a growing membership.
• The Building Committee, chaired by Harry Wellman, entered into discussions with the District at the same time as a new Library was being planned.
• Fundraising through a two-day fun fair and other events were organized during a four-year period from 1987 to 1990. Donations were also received.
• Discussions with the District’s Council resulted in an agreement where the District’s staff would monitor the project including tendering, permits, progress, etc. Plans included an addition with 2 stories encompassing 45 ft. by 60 ft. Don McPherson was the architect and Prime Construction was the contractor.
• The project commenced with an official sod-turning ceremony in March 1991 and included the requirement to repay the District over a period of time. Mayor Ted Jones and MLA Mel Couvelier participated in the ceremony.
• The additional building space was completed in 1992, ten years after the CSSCA was formally made a Society.
• The Central Saanich Lions supported the expansion.
Continued Growth – January 1993 to December 2004
• Continued improvements in the facilities (e.g., new flooring, entry mural, main office, etc.) and programs (e.g., Scottish Country Dancing, Shuffleboard, Walking Group, Aerobics, Choir, etc.).
• Membership expands to approximately 250 members. Membership is open to any area resident who is 50 years old or older.
• Fundraising has primarily focused on membership dues and bingo. Most programs are provided at no cost.
• The Society celebrated its 20th anniversary as a Society in 2002. The Queen’s Golden Jubilee was also in 2002.
• In 2005 the Society celebrated its 25th anniversary based on the date it was formed; attended by BC’s Lieutenant Governor, Iona Campagnola.
Recent History – January 2005 to 2012
• The CSSCA has continued to improve its facilities (e.g., new flooring, new office equipment, etc.) and programs (e.g., Scottish Country Dancing, Shuffleboard, Walking Group, Aerobics, Choir, etc.).
• Membership has expanded to approximately 300 members.
• For 2011, a New Horizon’s grant allowed for the hiring of a contract Programs Coordinator (George Collussi -- 2011-2012). Programs are supported by 80 volunteers and several paid instructors.
• In the fall of 2010, an application for funds to repair the existing roof was made to the District’s Council. The request for 2011 funding was denied.
• In August 2011 a new fundraising committee was formed to raise funds for a new roof and other essential repairs. A second request to Central Saanich Council was made in 2011.
• In September 2011, an application for a New Horizon’s grant for 2012 was submitted. The purpose of the grant is to support a program to support all seniors in the community.
• During 2012 a new roof, thermal windows, new flooring and other upgrades were installed.
• As a formal Society, the CSSCA was 30 years old in 2012. It was 30 years since the original house was moved to its current site and 20 years since the new addition was added. The year 2012 was also the 30th anniversary of Senior Citizen’s month in Central Saanich and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.