History of the Centre for Active Living 50+ (Centre)
Our official name is the “Central Saanich Senior Citizens Association” (CSSCA) but commonly referred to as the “Centre for Active Living” or just “The Centre”. Our current building started as an old house that was relocated and extensively renovated including the addition of a basement.
The Centre began in 1979 with 12 members at a private residence. It moved to the Central Saanich Lions Hall when membership increased and the first regular meeting was held there in January 1980.
Membership and activities continued to increase, resulting in a need for a larger facility. In 1982, the Central Saanich Municipality had a three-bedroom house on the current property that had to be moved to make room for a new library development. In September, 1982, the Centre requested that it be allowed to take over the house. The Council approved our request and agreed to excavate the site and move the house to where it is today. The Centre formed a building committee to coordinate the move and rebuilding of the house.
The house was placed on its new foundation on January 20, 1983. Transformation of the house commenced with considerable time and effort from members, trade professionals and local businesses. The Central Saanich Lions' Club contributed considerable support for the project. The Central Saanich Municipality provided a grant of $5,000 for completion of the foundation. Many other grants were also obtained. The new Centre was officially opened on November 4, 1983 and membership increased to approximately 200 members. The Central Saanich municipality retained ownership of the house and we leased it from them, as we do today.
In 1987, an expanded facility was needed for a growing membership. Fundraising, donations and other events were organized during a four-year period from 1987 to 1990. When a new library was planned, discussions were held with the Municipality’s council. This resulted in an agreement and plans included an addition to the house with two stories, mainly the main hall and lower hall areas. The project commenced in March 1991 and was completed in 1992.
Membership in the Centre has continued to grow and improvements have been made to the facilities, activities and programs.
The Central Saanich Senior Citizens Association (The Centre) became a registered society on November 5, 1982 under the BC Societies Act and a registered charity on January 1, 1983. As a formal society, in 2022, the CSSCA will be 40 years old; it will be 40 years since the original house was moved to its current site and 30 years since the new addition to the house was added.
The Centre began in 1979 with 12 members at a private residence. It moved to the Central Saanich Lions Hall when membership increased and the first regular meeting was held there in January 1980.
Membership and activities continued to increase, resulting in a need for a larger facility. In 1982, the Central Saanich Municipality had a three-bedroom house on the current property that had to be moved to make room for a new library development. In September, 1982, the Centre requested that it be allowed to take over the house. The Council approved our request and agreed to excavate the site and move the house to where it is today. The Centre formed a building committee to coordinate the move and rebuilding of the house.
The house was placed on its new foundation on January 20, 1983. Transformation of the house commenced with considerable time and effort from members, trade professionals and local businesses. The Central Saanich Lions' Club contributed considerable support for the project. The Central Saanich Municipality provided a grant of $5,000 for completion of the foundation. Many other grants were also obtained. The new Centre was officially opened on November 4, 1983 and membership increased to approximately 200 members. The Central Saanich municipality retained ownership of the house and we leased it from them, as we do today.
In 1987, an expanded facility was needed for a growing membership. Fundraising, donations and other events were organized during a four-year period from 1987 to 1990. When a new library was planned, discussions were held with the Municipality’s council. This resulted in an agreement and plans included an addition to the house with two stories, mainly the main hall and lower hall areas. The project commenced in March 1991 and was completed in 1992.
Membership in the Centre has continued to grow and improvements have been made to the facilities, activities and programs.
The Central Saanich Senior Citizens Association (The Centre) became a registered society on November 5, 1982 under the BC Societies Act and a registered charity on January 1, 1983. As a formal society, in 2022, the CSSCA will be 40 years old; it will be 40 years since the original house was moved to its current site and 30 years since the new addition to the house was added.