Southeast Vancouver Seniors Centre
Progress Report
Killarney Seniors Centre Breaks Ground
"I've got to say it's been a long time coming," said Hartley, who's lived in the neighbourhood for 38 years — her parents moved to Killarney 60 years ago. Federal Minister of Defence Harjit Singh Sajjan, also a longtime resident of the neighbourhood opened the ceremony outside the gynmasium of the Killarney Community Centre, January 9.
Groundbreaking Ceremony, January 9, at Killarney Community Centre. courtesy: George Grant
Memorial Service to Honour Keith Jacobson
The Memorial Service to honour Keith Jacobson will be held on Sunday, July 3rd at 3 p.m. in the Gymnasium at Killarney Community Centre. The family has asked for donations to the Cancer Foundation in Keith's name to support the research and express their thanks for the care given to Keith over five years of treatment. Donations can be made on-line at bccancerfoundation.com
Advocate heart and soul of Killarney: A memorial service for Keith Jacobson, who died June 24, is set for Sunday
June 29, 2016, Vancouver Courier
Keith Jacobson died Friday, June 24, after a lengthy battle with cancer. The community activist was the driving force behind a movement to have a seniors centre built in Southeast Vancouver. photo: Dan Toulgoet
Building Team Meeting – May 20
"I must say your feedback was important and they were taken seriously. It looks as though we will have the second elevator and a stage for the big multi-purpose room. And listen to this, there will be an enlarged and improved turn-around for buses which will take seniors closer to an easy drop-off point for entrance to the centre. There are also plans to have benches available so seniors can watch for Handi-Dart or other pick-up in a dry, safe place and in a comfortable seat. Hip, hip hurray…
Update 09, Following Building Team Meeting, May 23, 2016
Seniors Centre Contract Approved – Open House, April 26 "I am writing to confirm that we will hold a public Open House for the Killarney Seniors Centre on Tuesday, April 26 from 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm in the Board Room and Room 203 at Killarney Community Centre." – Project Manager, Sandra Korpan
New Timeline: Approved by Bid Committee "During the month of February the necessary insurances will be put in place. The name of the successful Design-Builder will not be released until the Park Board and City Council have reviewed and approved the proposal later this month…"
Update 08, Proposed Project Schedule, February 3, 2016
Building Contractor Finalist Selected "A Meeting will be convened to include representatives from SVSACS, Killarney Seniors, Killarney Association, COV and Parks & Rec Staff during the week of January 25th…"
Agreement reached for Southeast Vancouver seniors! "Ainslie Kwan, president of the Killarney Community Centre Association, said she signed an agreement Tuesday night determining the group has no claim to ownership of the centre or the land it sits on. The agreement permits the immediate issuance of a request for proposal for the design and construction of the centre…"
Volunteer societies are backbones of Canada's communities
"I can only surmise that seniors in Southeast Vancouver have become pawns in the Park Board's attempt to relegate the Society to a bit player in the operation of the Community Centre. Killarney Community Centre Society has been very successful in managing and expanding this facility and they have served the community well. They are closest to the community and are aware of community needs. They are an asset to our community cannot afford to lose. The delay in construction means that many seniors may not live to enjoy the facility…" – George Grant
Left to right: Lorna Gibbs, SVSACS president; Beatrice Ho; Mabel Leung; Ramesh Kalia; Hon. Suzanne Anton, MLA; George Grant, SVSACS secretary; and MP Wai Young. SVSACS display booth, Champlain Heights Community Centre Summer Fair, June 6, 2015.
COURTESY: George Grant
City of Vancouver claws back funding from seniors centre
After promises made to seniors that plans for the Killarney Seniors Centre will continue with a budget surplus, the City of Vancouver is withholding an additional $1.2 million pledge towards the long-awaited project… Vancouver Courier, July 31, 2014
Champlain Summer Fair – June 7, 2014
Lorna Gibbs and the Honorable Suzanne Anton at the SVSACS display booth, Champlain Heights Community Centre Summer Fair, June 7, 2014.
PHOTO: George Grant
Left to right: George Grant, Lorna Gibbs, the Honorable Suzanne Anton and Ramesh Kalia at the SVSACS display booth, Champlain Heights Community Centre Summer Fair, June 7, 2014.
PHOTO: George Grant
B.C. Government delivers a further $1.2M for Seniors Centre – April 23, 2014
On April 23, the Hon. Suzanne Anton, MLA for Vancouver-Fraseview announced a further $1.2M for a seniors centre in Killarney, increasing the province's contribution to $2.5 million. Nearly 100 people — many of them seniors — attended the event at Killarney Community Centre.…
MLA Suzanne Anton News Release, April 23, 2014
Left to right: Hon. Suzanne Anton, Vancouver-Fraseview MLA; Lorna Gibbs, Southeast Vancouver Seniors' Arts & Cultural Society President; Ainslie Kwan, Killarney Community Centre Society President; and Keith Jacobson, Killarney Community Centre Society Treasurer, Southeast Vancouver Seniors' Arts & Cultural Society Vice President. PHOTO: George Grant
Fraserview community gets its seniors centre!
BCL TV, April 23, 29014 (Run-time: 1 min. 40 sec.)
Mayor Gregor Robertson Brings Motion to Build new Seniors Centre – January 19, 2014
The Mayor's motion recommends the use of surplus funds from the City's operating budget to resolve the remaining funding gap on the estimated $7.5 million project…
Mayor Robertson News Release, January 19, 2014
MP Wai Young Delivers Funding for Seniors Centre – January 7, 2014
The Government of Canada will contribute up to one-half of total eligible costs, to a maximum of $2.5 million towards this project through the Building Canada Fund — Major Infrastructure Component…
MP Wai Young News Release, January 7, 2014
MP Wai Young with community and seniors advocates Ms. Mohinder Sidhu, Ms. Lorna Gibbs, Mrs. Shin Wan Hon, and Mr. Keith Jacobs.
B.C. Government commits funds for new Seniors Centre – April 15, 2013
The government of B.C. has committed to funding $1.3 million toward a new seniors' centre in Southeast Vancouver, an area that will get maximum benefit from this community resource, announced Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, Bill Bennett…
B.C. Government News Release, April 15, 2013
B.C. Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton visits with Southeast Vancouver Seniors Arts & Cultural Centre members who are soliciting donations and providing information to seniors. Left to right: Hon. Suzanne Anton, Pat Deibert (director), Ramesh Kalia, Mohinder Sidhu (director).
2012 Community Achievement Awards
Community Achievement Awards presented to volunteers by MP Wai Young, December 14, 2012. SVSACS recipients include Nelson Didulo, Lorna Gibbs, George Grant, Ramesh Kalia, Bert Massiah, Kamlesh Sethi and Mohinder Sidhu.
SVSACS celebrates Summer with MLA Mable Elmore
SVSACS Members at Kensington Community Centre Barbeque hosted by Mable Elmore, MLA on August 18th. Good time had by all.
SVSACS Members at Kensington Community Centre Barbeque hosted by Mable Elmore, MLA on August 18th. Good time had by all.
SVSACS celebrates Lunar New Year with MP Wai Young
MP Wai Young's New Year Celebration Year of the Dragon, February 2012. George Andersen, Friend, MP Wai Young, Gail McKay, Lorna Gibbs, Keith Jacobson.
Kash Heed goes to bat for Southeast Vancouver seniors
Vancouver-Fraserview MLA Kash Heed is working to get a new seniors centre up and running for his community. BC Liberal TV, Wednesday, August 10, 2011 Watch it on YouTube!
SVSACS meets with the Minister of State for Seniors
On July 4th, Wai Young, M.P. for Vancouver East introduced Hon. Alice Wong, Minister of State for Seniors to a few of the members of the Southeast Vancouver Seniors Arts & Cultural Centre Society and Killarney Seniors Society. The Meeting was to discuss funding for the much needed Centre for older adults to be built on land provided by Vancouver Parks & Recreation. M.P. Wai Young presented Minister Wong with more than 7,000 signatures on a petition pleading for a dedicated seniors centre.
On July 4th, Wai Young, M.P. for Vancouver East introduced Hon. Alice Wong, Minister of State for Seniors to a few of the members of SVSACS.
Letters to Members of Parliament can be sent postage-free through Canada Post. Please send your letters of support.
Alice Wong, M.P. Richmond
Minister of State for Seniors
Constituency Office:
Suite 360 - 5951 No. 3 Road
Richmond, BC, V6X 2E3 Phone: (604) 775-5790 E-mail:alice.wong@parl.gc.ca Web:http://alicewong.ca
Wai Young, M.P. Vancouver South
Constituency Office:
6406 Victoria Drive
Vancouver, BC, V5P 3X7 Phone: (604) 775-5323 Fax: (604) 775-5420 E-mail:info@waiyoung.ca Web:http://waiyoung.ca
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A6
City of Vancouver approves $2.5 million for Southeast Vancouver Seniors Centre
Report to Council, Standing Committee of Council on City Services & Budgets, January 20 and February 1, 2011 Section 9: "The Committee heard from eight speakers who spoke in support of funding for a seniors centre in southeast Vancouver… PDF: CityCouncil-110120.pdf (88 /Kb)
SVSACS at City Hall, February 1, celebrating Council's motion to allocate $2.5 million and reaffirm their commitment to provide the land for a seniors centre in Southeast Vancouver. We are now look forward to announcements from the provincial and federal governments.
January 2010 Report: Feasibility Study Southeast Vancouver Seniors' Centre
The Vancouver Park Board contracted City Spaces (with assistance from a steering committee) to study the feasibility of building a new (10,000 square-foot) wing for seniors onto the Killarney Community Centre. the researchers consulted with organizations in southeast Vancouver that provide seniors' services and seniors' programmers at community centres, and identified the following needs: a large-capacity, multi-purpose space; a kitchen to provide meal programs; additional space for classes such as language courses; and a seniors' lounge.
Feasibility Study Southeast Vancouver Seniors' Centre. Produced by City Spaces for the Vancouver Board of Parks & Recreation (January 25, 2010) PDF: VPBseniorsstudy-2010.pdf (6.1 Mb)
Talk to your elected officials
Call and write to your Member of Parliament, your MLA, and the Vancouver Park Board right now! Tell them you strongly support our cause. Demand that our elected Federal, Provincial and City of Vancouver Representatives work together to address the dire need for a place for seniors in southeast Vancouver. Get your friends to do the same. With your voices we can make it happen! For names and contact information of government representatives for your community, click on the links below:
