The Okanagan Mission Senior Centre Society celebrated 50 years of memories and fun this Saturday at their beloved centre on Hobson Road.

Cake was cut, stories swapped, art was displayed and history was relived through old photo albums during the party that drew people of all ages to celebrate the society91裸聊视频檚 50 years in the building they91裸聊视频檝e called home since 1973.

Cake was cut and served in celebration of the Okanagan Mission Senior Centre Society's 50th anniversary on Saturday, July 27, 2019. (Caitlin Clow - 91裸聊视频)

But, underlying the buzz of the celebration, and music by the talented Ben Klick, was uncertainty, as the future of the Okanagan Mission Activity Centre remains unknown.

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The centre is a special place for more than 300 senior members said president Grace Egeland. But it91裸聊视频檚 possible the centre, otherwise known as Dawe91裸聊视频檚 House, could be demolished to enlarge the park space at Sarsons Beach and increase the parking lot.

He added that 91裸聊视频渘o firm decisions91裸聊视频� have been made at this time regarding the future of the beloved activity centre.

Parks and building planning manager Robert Parlane, with the City of Kelowna, said the demolition slated for 2020 is not the activity centre, rather it91裸聊视频檚 another structure on the southern portion of the property. The city is, however, going to remove the hedging and fencing to expand the green space near Sarsons Beach, he said.

91裸聊视频淔rom the second I walked in here91裸聊视频� I immediately saw and felt the value of this place,91裸聊视频� Kelowna-Lake Country MP Stephen Fuhr said to the more than 100 attendees at the anniversary party.

91裸聊视频淭his space is amazing,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚t means a lot for the people here in the community and it91裸聊视频檚 definitely worth keeping.91裸聊视频�

He said although the issue is not in the federal jurisdiction, he would do anything he can to use his influence to advocate for the space.

91裸聊视频淭he City of Kelowna is really, really proud of the seniors91裸聊视频� centre,91裸聊视频� city councillor and deputy mayor Maxine DeHart said. 91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 think there is a better location in the city to have a building like this.91裸聊视频�

Parlane said the City of Kelowna purchased the former residence in 1973 and converted for community use.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 really not well designed for community use,91裸聊视频� he said.

But, it has great views and it91裸聊视频檚 very popular with the people who use it, he added.

91裸聊视频淭he home was bought with the intention of creating beach access,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淭here were no conditions upon purchase.91裸聊视频�

Seniors Minister Filomena Tassi visited the centre alongside Fuhr during last month91裸聊视频檚 visit to the Kelowna area and praised the centre and the society for all they do, Fuhr explained.

Egeland said instead of demolition, she would rather see fundraising and renovations to upgrade the waterfront space, which is owned by the City of Kelowna and available for .

91裸聊视频淲e want our home,91裸聊视频� she said.

Parlane said renovations could be an option.

91裸聊视频淣o decisions have been made, so I can91裸聊视频檛 say yes or no,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚t has to be an option on the table until decisions are made.91裸聊视频�

The city91裸聊视频檚 capital plan has proposed the construction of a new activity centre at Mission Recreation Park and Parlane said the development of a new centre could render the Sarsons Beach house redundant.

Talk of designating a seniors91裸聊视频� activity centre near the H2O Adventure and Fitness Centre doesn91裸聊视频檛 leave a good taste in the president91裸聊视频檚 mouth. She said the cement building with small windows inside the centre won91裸聊视频檛 ever have the same magic or homey vibe that the senior members love so much about their current location.

91裸聊视频淚f the place came down,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淚 can91裸聊视频檛 see myself working hard for the society in a place that91裸聊视频檚 not worthwhile.91裸聊视频�

Parlane said community consultation would be undertaken if a new centre is to be constructed to create a 91裸聊视频渨elcoming centre.91裸聊视频�

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Caitlin.clow@kelownacapnews.com
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