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History of the Water Street Senior Centre

The Water Street Senior Centre is owned by the City of Kelowna, and operates as part of the Parks and Leisure Services Department. A community development approach to retired citizens programming is utilized, whereby the centre operates as a partnership between the City and the Water Street Senior Centre Society.
The City of Kelowna provides program and administrative support through the office of the Community Recreation Coordinator, pays the utilities and maintenance costs of the building, and assumes responsibility for landscaping, snow removal and garbage collection.
The Water Street Senior Centre Society is comprised of the members of the centre, who take an active role in the operation of the facility. At the Annual General Meeting each year a ten person Board of Directors is elected. The Directors are responsible for a variety of duties such as establishing annual membership fees, accounting for all funds, maintaining accurate and complete financial records, approving all programs and services offered to members, purchasing equipment and supplies and recruiting and training volunteers.
The Water Street Senior Centre (formerly known as The Retired Citizens Activity Centre) officially opened on February 10th, 1973. During the past thirty years the look of the building has changed considerably. In 1974 the outdoor patio was enclosed to create the existing snooker room. In 1987 the Main Hall was enlarged and the adjoining Dining Room and Multi-Purpose Room were constructed. The last extension was completed in 1992, which doubled the size of the Meeting Room and the two offices.
In January of 2000 the decision was made by the Board of Directors to offer computer instruction to the members of the Society. A committee comprised of seniors with extensive computer experience volunteered to head up this project. The room previously known as the Den was renovated, and seven computer stations were installed.
Considerable time was spent developing the curriculum of the introductory computer course, and classes began mid September. There is a tremendous amount of interest in computer courses and this new program offering has been very successful.
In September, 2000 the Water Street Senior Centre also was a venue site of the 13th annual B.C. Seniors Games held in Kelowna. Approximately 2600 athletes participated in 21 different sports over three days of competition. The Games could not have been possible without the contributions of over 1800 volunteers from the community who so willingly gave of their time and energy to make this event such a success.
The Water Street Senior Centre continues to offer new programs and activities to meet the needs of the older residents of the community. With the future re-development of the waterfront, the centre is scheduled to move from its present site, however the new location and time frame for this to happen is yet to be determined.