Outpouring of support shown for struggling senior’s association

Due to funding concerns, the Moose Jaw & District Seniors Association (MJ&DSA) and the Cosmo Senior’s Centre are facing the reality of closure in the coming months. The two organizations called upon the public for a town hall meeting Sunday afternoon to discuss their future.

Despite the poor weather, the Cosmo Centre saw a gym full of concerned citizens arrive to show their support for senior programming in Moose Jaw; an estimated more than 200 people attended the forum. 

Each attendee filled out a survey, to gauge what programs are being utilized, what programs are important, and the willingness of members to fight for further funding. 

Currently, the prevalent option that both organizations are seeking is for enough funding to cover their costs for the foreseeable future. The MJ&DSA currently requires an additional $50,000 to supplement their own fundraising to keep paying their utilities and insurance. 

Present at the meeting were council members Crystal Froese, Brian Swanson, and Scott McMann; Mayor Fraser Tolmie was not, which was mentioned by a concerned citizen. MLAs Greg Lawrence and Warren Michelson were also in attendance. 

The majority of concerns from the floor focused on the call for funding from the City of Moose Jaw, or even from the federal government — a point addressed by council member Brian Swanson in his own words and later by council member Scott McMann.

“I think that for the situation to improve and move forward, the two organizations have to look at coming together,” said Swanson. “To maintain two separate organizations that are struggling will not be an easy sell to the people of Moose Jaw. . . I think that the appeal for city money, which I hear loud and clear, will be more easily made if there is some unity.”

“We’re not going to solve all the issues,” said McMann. “I think we’ll try and do what we can from the city but that isn’t going to be the answer to your problems because you need to get younger folks, different ideas, different programs.” 

Council member Crystal Froese spoke before Swanson and McMann, expressing her interest in supporting the seniors of Moose Jaw. 

“They are very important facilities here,” said Froese. “You definitely have my voice at council for this, they’re both very essential situations. I particularly have seen the benefits of both and the impact they have on our community.” 

The goal that both groups are focusing on currently is to obtain the funds to continue operating in their current locations, as any type of program changes or administrative reconstruction would require resources that they currently don’t have.

“We did hear from a couple of council members talking about amalgamation and it's not to say we haven't had those discussions,” said Lori Friar, program coordinator at MJ&DSA. “We are really two separate entities and it is going to take a lot of work for the two of us because we have different thoughts about things.”

Friars also acknowledged that the need for programming targeting a younger demographic is needed, but their lack of funds is holding the association back and taking first priority.

“Right now in our minds, number one is having enough funds to be able to carry on, however we get that, and then build from there,” said Friars.

“What we need are donations, what we need is government help from all levels. We need people to step up and help us. If it's joining us, paying a membership, coming out and taking part in our programs, whatever it takes,” said Elaine Parsons, recording secretary of the MJ&DSA. “Because if we close the doors, there's a lot of people out there that are going to sit at home and do nothing, and it's sad.”

Both organizations are asking people to once again show support by attending the May 27 council meeting at 5:30pm, when the issue will be presented to city council for discussion. 

Highlights of the solutions offered from the floor: 

• to request federal funding under the umbrella of healthcare, as active senior citizens prove to rely less on the health care system
• filing both organizations as a charitable foundation in order to receive government funding for administrative costs
• seeking a new lease in a different building better suited to the organizations’ current funds
• combining the two organizations and focusing on one centre 
• requesting the city to donate the  parking lot behind the MJ&DSA building, currently designated to the library, to Timothy Eaton’s for more accessibility
• to consider expanding programs to attract a younger crowd of seniors, closer to the 50s or 60s age range, as recommended by council member Scott McMann
• installing solar panels, through grant funding,  to make use of solar energy which would cut utility costs for each building