The Okanagan Mission Senior Centre Society celebrated 50 years of memories and fun this Saturday at their beloved centre on Hobson Road.

Cake was cut, stories swapped, art was displayed and history was relived through old photo albums during the party that drew people of all ages to celebrate the society乌鸦传媒檚 50 years in the building they乌鸦传媒檝e called home since 1973.

Cake was cut and served in celebration of the Okanagan Mission Senior Centre Society's 50th anniversary on Saturday, July 27, 2019. (Caitlin Clow - 乌鸦传媒)

But, underlying the buzz of the celebration, and music by the talented Ben Klick, was uncertainty, as the future of the Okanagan Mission Activity Centre remains unknown.

READ MORE: Rutland townhouse project will 乌鸦传媒榮tep it up a notch乌鸦传媒�: Kelowna Councillor

READ MORE: West Kelowna乌鸦传媒檚 Crystal Mountain to reopen this winter under new management

The centre is a special place for more than 300 senior members said president Grace Egeland. But it乌鸦传媒檚 possible the centre, otherwise known as Dawe乌鸦传媒檚 House, could be demolished to enlarge the park space at Sarsons Beach and increase the parking lot.

He added that 乌鸦传媒渘o firm decisions乌鸦传媒� have been made at this time regarding the future of the beloved activity centre.

Parks and building planning manager Robert Parlane, with the City of Kelowna, said the demolition slated for 2020 is not the activity centre, rather it乌鸦传媒檚 another structure on the southern portion of the property. The city is, however, going to remove the hedging and fencing to expand the green space near Sarsons Beach, he said.

乌鸦传媒淔rom the second I walked in here乌鸦传媒� I immediately saw and felt the value of this place,乌鸦传媒� Kelowna-Lake Country MP Stephen Fuhr said to the more than 100 attendees at the anniversary party.

乌鸦传媒淭his space is amazing,乌鸦传媒� he said. 乌鸦传媒淚t means a lot for the people here in the community and it乌鸦传媒檚 definitely worth keeping.乌鸦传媒�

He said although the issue is not in the federal jurisdiction, he would do anything he can to use his influence to advocate for the space.

乌鸦传媒淭he City of Kelowna is really, really proud of the seniors乌鸦传媒� centre,乌鸦传媒� city councillor and deputy mayor Maxine DeHart said. 乌鸦传媒淚 don乌鸦传媒檛 think there is a better location in the city to have a building like this.乌鸦传媒�

Parlane said the City of Kelowna purchased the former residence in 1973 and converted for community use.

乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 really not well designed for community use,乌鸦传媒� he said.

But, it has great views and it乌鸦传媒檚 very popular with the people who use it, he added.

乌鸦传媒淭he home was bought with the intention of creating beach access,乌鸦传媒� he said. 乌鸦传媒淭here were no conditions upon purchase.乌鸦传媒�

Seniors Minister Filomena Tassi visited the centre alongside Fuhr during last month乌鸦传媒檚 visit to the Kelowna area and praised the centre and the society for all they do, Fuhr explained.

Egeland said instead of demolition, she would rather see fundraising and renovations to upgrade the waterfront space, which is owned by the City of Kelowna and available for .

乌鸦传媒淲e want our home,乌鸦传媒� she said.

Parlane said renovations could be an option.

乌鸦传媒淣o decisions have been made, so I can乌鸦传媒檛 say yes or no,乌鸦传媒� he said. 乌鸦传媒淚t has to be an option on the table until decisions are made.乌鸦传媒�

The city乌鸦传媒檚 capital plan has proposed the construction of a new activity centre at Mission Recreation Park and Parlane said the development of a new centre could render the Sarsons Beach house redundant.

Talk of designating a seniors乌鸦传媒� activity centre near the H2O Adventure and Fitness Centre doesn乌鸦传媒檛 leave a good taste in the president乌鸦传媒檚 mouth. She said the cement building with small windows inside the centre won乌鸦传媒檛 ever have the same magic or homey vibe that the senior members love so much about their current location.

乌鸦传媒淚f the place came down,乌鸦传媒� she said. 乌鸦传媒淚 can乌鸦传媒檛 see myself working hard for the society in a place that乌鸦传媒檚 not worthwhile.乌鸦传媒�

Parlane said community consultation would be undertaken if a new centre is to be constructed to create a 乌鸦传媒渨elcoming centre.乌鸦传媒�

READ MORE: Truck rolls of Lakeshore Road inches from Kelowna home

Caitlin.clow@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .