Bob Cobbe, board member with the Cosmo Senior Citizens Centre, hopes to avoid any more shutdowns since the centre has made itself as safe as possible for its members, which is the reason they’ve continued to doing well through the pandemic.
The centre provides a valuable place for seniors to gather and enjoy each other's company. It’s an important part of continuing social connections and fighting pandemic-induced isolation.
Every member is required to provide proof of double vaccination to attend events or socialize. Cobbe says most of the members have also gotten booster shots, which has helped everyone to continue attending without fear.
“We’re basically doing everything we were before COVID hit,” Cobbe said. “The one area where we’re considerably down is from event rentals.”
Before the pandemic, Cosmo Senior Citizens Centre had an event rental almost every weekend. Events like weddings, birthday parties, anniversaries, and funeral luncheons provided a source of revenue. Cobbe says the centre is also proud of the contribution they make to the local economy.
“If we have a wedding, you know, there’s always people renting hotel rooms, and going out for restaurant meals. And a lot of them, they go to the Tunnels, try out the trolley, go to the spa. So I feel we do a very good job for Moose Jaw itself, and the businesses here.”
The focus of the centre, however, is mostly on keeping its members active and part of a community. Pickleball is a daily activity. Floor shuffleboard, bridge, canasta, other card games, and dance lessons are all enjoyed weekly.
Cobbe says they have roughly 200 to 250 members. Membership fees are an extremely reasonable $40 a year — something that surprises many people.
The centre also employs a cook. Although catering up to a certain size is possible, the cook is mostly there for the members.
“With the floor shufflers, you know, they shuffle twice a week,” Cobbe says. “They play two games, and then they take a break and they have coffee. And they might have a piece of pie, or cookies or cake, whatever they want.”
The first three times potential members come in are free. If they want to keep coming, membership is required, but that doesn’t tend to be a barrier at $40. The centre keeps its membership at a price where they can get by financially while making sure their members can always afford it.
The centre's January schedule is below:
- Monday
- 9:30 pickleball
- 1:00 floor shuffleboard
- Tuesday
- 9:30 jam session
- 1:00 pickleball
- 7:00 friendship bridge
- Wednesday
- 8:30 TOPS
- 9:30 pickleball
- 1:00 floor shuffleboard
- 1:00 hand & foot canasta
- Thursday
- 10:00 line dance
- 1:00 pickleball
- Friday
- 1:00 pickleball
There are also special suppers, luncheons, and tournaments throughout the year. Cosmo Senior Citizens Centre can be contacted at 306-692-6072, or by email at [email protected].
