Kamloops seniors worried about pending CSI activity centre closure

Brandi Allen, executive director of CSI Kamloops, believes these kinds of interactions are necessary for seniors mental health.

“I think it’s incredibly vital to everyone in the community but especially seniors who are more apt to experience isolation as they get older,” Allen said.

At the end of the month, the activity centre will be closing its doors.

“It was not an easy decision to make,” she said. “It was hard but financially it’s just not feasible for a non-profit to stay in a place like this.“

Allen said not being approved for the gaming grant this year was a big part of the non-profit’s decision to close its doors.

Malory, who is a former city councillor, said he’s been advocating for more support from city hall but hasn’t gotten anywhere.

When speaking with CFJC News, Kamloops mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson expressed frustration over the amount of city funding currently being directed towards social issues for services he feels are being underutilized.

“Every facility all the way down to Mission Flats has day lodges in the building and we are funding that through, I think, grant money and things like that,” Hamer-Jackson said.

“I just think it’s terrible that we aren’t respecting the citizens of the community, especially the seniors.”

Beginning in July, all the wrap-around services being provided by the Center for Senior Information will be moved to their North Hills office.

Since the activity centre announced its closure, the city has opened up the Heritage House a few days a week for drop-ins but the Centre for Senior Information hopes more will be done to provide senior socialization opportunities.

“I really hope they can fill the gap when we close because I think it’s going to be felt all over Kamloops,” Allen said.

by Sydney Chisholm

Kamloops seniors worried about pending CSI activity centre closure

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