BGC Okanagan celebrates new Lake Country facility
Lake Country is now home to an innovative Multi-generational Activity Centre (MAC) facility providing a place for activities and groups, building on the offerings of the Winfield recreation complex, and ensuring families in Lake Country have the supports they need. The siting of the new MAC allows for inter-generational programming between youth and seniors.
The District of Lake Country received $6.155 million through the Canada Community-Building Fund for this project in addition to $500,000 from the Province of BC through the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund. The MAC provides a central location for the Lake Country branch of the BGC Okanagan (formerly known as Boys and Girls Club Okanagan) programs, seniors’ activities and other collaborative and sustainable community activity programming for the growing municipality.
The MAC is a new three story, 19,000 sq. ft. multi-functional building. Additionally, renovations were made to the Winfield Arena and Curling Club as well as the Seniors’ Activity Centre to address accessibility issues and create dynamic places for people to gather, recreate and socialize as part of this project. The improvements integrate the distinct spaces contributing to a vibrant healthy community. The MAC building features daycare spaces with outdoor play areas, youth activity spaces, washrooms, office, reception, tech lab, maker lab, art studio, kitchen, and parking.
The total cost of the project was $8.175 million, with the District of Lake Country contributing $1.52 million, in addition to the funding provided by the federal and provincial governments. The Canada Community-Building Fund is administered in British Columbia by the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM).
– news release courtesy of the District of Lake Country
Quotes
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities
“Lake Country’s Multi-generational Activity Centre will address the needs of residents of all ages and will strengthen community ties, especially for seniors who often experience isolation. Our government is committed to working with our partners to address inclusivity and build a better quality of life for all Canadians.”
Josie Osborne, Minister of Municipal Affairs
“As Lake Country continues to grow and attract more people, this new activity centre will become a welcome space for a variety of supports and family activities. It’s so important for people and visitors to have a versatile space that offers programming and event space for all ages and helps the community stay connected and active for years to come.”
Councillor Laurey Roodenburg, President, Union of BC Municipalities
“Modern, integrated infrastructure plays a critical role in creating vibrant, inclusive communities. Lake Country’s new activity centre will engage a broad range of community interests and needs. I am very pleased to see significant support from the federal and provincial governments for this high impact project.”
Mayor James Baker, Lake Country
“Finding child care has been difficult for many local families in our rapidly-growing community. Partnering with organizations such as the BGC Okanagan and fully benefitting from any senior level government funding grants are what make initiatives like this happen faster to meet our community’s needs. The MAC project was crucial to advancing Lake Country’s long-term goals and vision of our vibrant, healthy community by supporting the interaction of citizens of all ages and abilities; facilitating local recreation, arts and cultural initiatives; and helping to become a more accessible, age-friendly community through strategic and sustainable recreational infrastructure investment. We are grateful for the investment and leadership provided by the Government of Canada through the Canada Community-Building Fund.”
Jeremy Welder, CEO of BGC Okanagan
“We are so excited to see the new MAC building completed and ready to open to the community. We are so grateful for all of the work and support of the Council and District staff to make this beautiful facility a reality. We are looking forward to the opportunity to be able to continue to offer our programs out of this new building and the opportunity to expand and offer new programs that bring together community members of all ages. The site will also allow us to offer increased childcare spaces and offer much needed daycare programs to the community.
A facility like the MAC, and the programs that will be offered, will help contribute to a vibrant, healthy community now and into the future.”
Anne Robinson, President of Lake Country Seniors Activity Centre Society
“Our Seniors are so excited to be able to get back together to their activites and meeting with friends in a building they can relax in. Many seniors participate in one or more of our 14 to 17 activities. We also host outreach programs which include Prime Time Entertainment & Refreshments on Mondays, twice per month. As well, every Tuesday, we provide hot lunches and take out lunches upon request. These events are important for seniors in Lake Country and are sometimes the only opportunity for them to socialize with their peers.”