Nearly 40 different clubs will lure new and returning members to Monterey Recreation centre for the annual presentation of groups Sept. 17.
“As a retired senior you need to be involved in something, to get up and get out,” says Camille Wood, president of the Oak Bay Seniors’ Activity Association. “The Monterey Centre absolutely provides everything you could want to do.”
The club and drop-in activities at the Oak Bay centre span the spectrum from arts and darts to whist and woodcraft.
Once retired you can “lose your purpose,” Wood says. When she moved to the region she joined Newcomers, where many members also attended Monterey for club activities.
“I first came here [to Monterey] to take bridge lessons. I ended up making friends with three ladies. We still play nine years later,” she says.
Now Wood is active in the popular Mah Jong Club and the Craft Carnival, organizing the association’s two big annual fundraisers each year – the rummage sale and the bazaar.
“I have friends that I’m busy with. It’s basically playing and having fun. And it’s an opportunity to practise skills you’ve acquired in your working years,” Wood says. “The atmosphere is my favourite thing, the atmosphere provided by the staff here. They’re very welcoming and helpful.”
Montery’s 37 clubs include art, billiards and snooker, table tennis, bingo, carpet bowling, computers, iPad club, mahjong, concert band, walking craft carnival, Spanish, French and more.
For a membership fee of $42 members can can access all of the clubs, with a handful having small additional user fees. Each club has a representative that makes up the Oak Bay Seniors Activity Association executive.
“Belonging to clubs is an affordable way for older adults to continue living vibrant, connected lives.
We are proud to offer so many ways for adults to keep their minds and bodies active,” says Lesley Cobus, rec centre co-ordinator.
“We have over 2,000 members to date. Monterey is a large community.”
The Discover Monterey All Clubs Open House is slated for Sept 17 from noon to 2 p.m. at 1442 Monterey Ave. For more information call Cobus at 2509-370-7303.