Smoky Lake Seniors’ Centre is not only for seniors

By Irene van der Kloet

The Smoky Lake Seniors’ Centre offers recreational facilities to seniors, correct? The centre has existed since 1972, starting as a seniors’ centre. “In those days, they enforced it as a seniors’ centre. You had to be a senior before you could join. Eight years ago, they dropped the age to eighteen,” Vern Billey, the current president, says. The centre now offers recreational opportunities for a wide age range. Two large pool tables are eye-catching as a person walks in, especially one table that dates to the early nineteen hundreds. These tables came from the pool room in town, which shut down in 1975. Then there is shuffleboard, darts, floor curling, lawn bowling, card games, and crib tournaments. Originally this space was a theatre, the Ortona Hall, and the two rows of theatre seats – in mint condition – are witness to that history. Vern would like to see the seniors’ centre become a gathering place for the community, a hub for fellowship, information, entertainment, and training sessions. Clubs can use it for club meetings; it can be used for functions such as weddings. “Most of the people that come here are from educated backgrounds. Some have been here forever; others recently moved to the community. We have spoken with a few community groups who want to incorporate the seniors into their programming for youth. For example, young people can teach the current seniors how to use their iPad in one-on-one sessions. Then they see what we have, and hopefully, that draws them in.” The centre is open to ideas that younger people have for activities, which may contribute to hauling that younger membership in. Membership is only $10.00 per year, an amount that shouldn’t be an obstacle. At the membership meeting (the first Wednesday of every month at 1:00 pm), Vern actively encourages members to develop ideas. Drumming, poker, exercising, playing cards (31), and knitting are some activities in the centre, apart from being open every morning for coffee (with homestyle baked goods) from 9:00-11:00. Vern explains that groups may look for a meeting space, and the centre is excellent for that. Currently, the snowmobile club uses the building for their meetings and hopefully, other groups will follow. “The building is there; you might as well use it,” Vern adds. In 2021 the centre offered hot dog lunches on Thursdays, a huge fundraiser. “It was such a hit, but we fell short last year. We advertised in various places, but I forgot the school. When I saw a big lineup of school kids at Betsy’s Burgers, I thought, “How stupid can I be?” A hot dog, all the condiments, a slice of watermelon, a drink and all that for five bucks,” Vern explains. They will be offering hot dog lunches again this year, and this time, the school will be included in the advertising. Some work needs to be done on the building: a new roof, new flooring, costly upgrades. Vern hopes the centre will successfully apply for grants to complete these upgrades, as fundraising dollars will not cover the cost. The Smoky Lake Seniors’ Centre is located on White Earth Street.