The History of the Centre
2000
The Centre began in January 10, 2000 when it officially opened one room in Royal School. In June 2000, it was incorporated and began selling memberships in August. The final event of this founding year was the first Annual Meeting and appointment of Board of Directors in November.
The Centre came about as a result of the efforts of an International Year of Older Persons (IYOP) Senior Advisory Committee of 20 members. That group worked within the community throughout 1999 and recommended the formation of the senior centre. Many Committee members continued on the first Board. Expansion was steady. A second room came into use and conditions were cramped.
2004
In October 2004, through arrangements with the City of Winnipeg, the Centre opened its new home in the Charleswood Municipal Building at 5006 Roblin. Activities were expanded and several new fitness classes were added. Programs continued in Royal School.
Facing the challenge of serving the needs and wants of an expanding senior population, the Board of Directors set up a Long Term Planning Committee to prepare proposals on how the Centre could grow over the next 10 years.
2006
An interim report on long term planning was presented to the Board. The Board along with three partners, United Way, Winnipeg Foundation and WRHA, funded a survey to gather information from 300 of the 8,000 plus people over 55 who live in the Assiniboine South area.
2007
Results of the Probe Research study were presented to a Partners Meeting where 24 community partners were represented. Feedback was worked into the Long Term Planning final report. It recommended that both facilities and programs be expanded as soon as possible.
2008
The Board approved a concept design to renovate the Municipal Building garage to meet space needs at one central location. Positive discussions were held with Councilor Clement and city staff. The Centre took up the option clause in the lease with the City of Winnipeg to move ahead with the expansion. The Board started to confirm arrangements to finance the expansion.
2009
The Charleswood Senior Centre received all necessary funding from generous contributors for the planned expansion (that is, the redevelopment of the Municipal Building Garage). Additionally, the Board of Directors finalized the design plans for the expansion and received engineers approval. The Centre finalized it plans to begin the re-development of the garage in the new year.
2010
The Charleswood Senior Centre moved into their newly expanded space at the end of April. Our official grand opening & tenth anniversary celebration will be held on September 14, 2010 at 11:00 AM.
2015
The Charleswood Senior Centre became known as the Charleswood 55 Plus Active Living Centre.