The 411 Seniors Centre building on Dunsmuir Street recently sold for $8 million, but what will become of the society that's been operating the popular facility is unknown.
Judith Stark, past president of the 411 Seniors Centre Society's board of directors, describes the organization as being in a "state of extreme flux."
"We're trying to figure out what to do and how to do it," Stark told the Courier during a phone interview Tuesday morning. "But we have a strong new board leading us, so we're heading in the right direction."
Stark said the society's board is made up of volunteers who have little experience in a transition of this magnitude. She noted due to a lack of permanent paid staff, no one is sure how many members the centre has. "Maybe at one time there were thousands, but today that number is probably closer to 350 or 400," she said. "But this new board is working on gathering that information."
Stark confirmed the building sold several months ago to a numbered company she described only as being made up of longtime Vancouverites. The building was granted to the society from the provincial government almost three years ago. A representative from the city did not know who the new owners are.
The centre was to close completely by the end of this year, but the city stepped in with financial planning help for the society due to the important role it plays in the neighbourhood, which is home to many lowincome seniors. The centre will now remain open until March 2012. But the fate of the society after that time is yet to be determined.
Outgoing city councillor Ellen Woodsworth told the Courier the city felt compelled to step in because the 411 centre is such a critically important location for seniors living in the area.
"We were very concerned," said Woodsworth. "So staff talked to the board to see if they needed help getting a funding proposal together for the short term."
For decades the centre has been an inclusive resource and drop-in centre for seniors that provides tools, services, programs and activities that enable low-income seniors to live independent lives and thrive. At one time the centre offered more than 45 different programs including language classes, dancing, fitness, yoga, creative writing and art, as well as assistance filling out government forms such as income tax, and provided much-needed health care. The centre also offered programs for gay, lesbian and transsexual seniors. Before its recent closure, a food program at the centre offered low-cost, nutritious meals daily in the cafeteria.
411 member Sheila Foley agrees the centre has provided much-needed programs for seniors over the years and she's disappointed it's closing. Foley attends yoga classes at 411 three times a week. She also recently attended an information meeting held to discuss the closure but came away with more questions than answers. "I'd like to know why the society didn't negotiate a new space as an amenity provided by the new owner. That looks like a lost opportunity," said Foley. "I'd also like to know what the society is going to do with that money and who the signators are on that account."
Stark said the board wasn't sharing information with members because nothing has been decided. "The reality of the situation is we haven't made it clear to our members what's going on and we're trying to rectify that," said Stark. "Meanwhile we're working to make the best decisions possible."
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