A community is different things to different people. But for the Cordova Bay 55+ Association, community is at the heart of everything they do.
President David Docherty said it’s the wide variety of programs and activities provided by the Cordova Bay 55+ Association that fills a vital role for the community.
“We attempt to cater to a lot of needs of an older population,” he said, adding the range of activities meet the needs of those with active lifestyles as well as the older members who may be a little more frail.
“We bring them into the centre to socialize, interact with people and stimulate them through playing games and doing other activities. I think part of the success is the broad range of activities catering to different groups who are in the 55-plus demographic.”
That commitment to community resulted in the Cordova Bay 55+ Association being honoured with the Community Group Award at the Cordova Bay Community Leadership Awards.
“People are very pleased about the recognition and humbled by it to a degree because I know there’s a lot of other worthy organizations and groups in the Cordova Bay area that do fine work for the community,” said Docherty. “We’re very honoured to be the inaugural recipients of the award.”
He estimates that between 200 and 300 people use the centre on an average week, with the association’s membership reaching 600 at the close of last year.
Docherty said the Blue Heron Singers, Friday hikes and pickleball games are some of the more popular activities, along with the standards of bridge, cribbage and crafts groups.
“There’s always something to do, and different levels of engagement,” said Docherty, who credits the more than 100 volunteers for the association’s success.