The recreation centre at KinVillage could be used by Delta for public fitness programs.
A report to the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission notes that the KinVillage Community Centre is not in operation as a seniors centre during COVID-19 and presents the opportunity to move functional fitness there.
Staff met with KinVillage in early August to discuss the possibility of scheduling fitness programs at the community centre.
KinVillage has agreed to allow Delta to utilize the space through a non-exclusive licence of occupation.
The term of the proposed licence is for a one-year period beginning Oct. 1, 2020, the report notes, adding there is no cost to utilize the space.
There’s currently three seniors' recreation centres available to the public in Delta, collectively serving approximately 2,800 members.
They include the Kennedy Seniors Recreation Centre in North Delta and the McKee Seniors Recreation Centre in Ladner, both owned by Delta, but the city doesn’t own a centre in Tsawwassen.
KinVillage owns and operates the seniors’ facility in Tsawwassen with Delta providing financial support via service agreements for programs and services.
If the new deal with the association is approved by council, Delta would program the fitness offerings in a similar way to the city’s other two seniors’ centres, offering fitness programs for all ages and abilities through a pre-registered, prepaid system.
It’s anticipated that programs will commence at the community centre Oct. 5, pending approval of the licence of occupation.
Noting that for more than 35 years the KinVillage Association has provided seniors and others with a wide range of programs, health care, recreation and social programs, another recent report that went to council recommended providing $166,540 for a one-year service deal.
That recommendation was approved.
During COVID-19, the Tsawwassen centre has been used to accommodate requisite physical distancing for the 100 care home residents during meal service and, on occasion, used by staff.
The report adds that going forward, when the older adult day programs resume, the centre will be used to assist vulnerable seniors and their caregivers.
The previous agreement between Delta and KinVillage was for a three-year term and expired on Dec. 31, 2019.
Due to COVID-19 and many unknown factors, it was recommended that the service agreement be only for a one-year term with a review of service deliverables at the end of the term.
The current KinVillage Community Centre is to be closed in about 10 years, but Delta has a master plan for the adjacent Winskill Park that envisions a replacement centre being built as part of future park redevelopment.
The current KinVillage also operates 310 affordable rental units for seniors, including 68 in assisted living and 100 in residential care, as well as the community centre.
A total of 798 units is planned in a major re-development of the site, comprising 544 seniors’ rental housing units, 119 units in congregate care and 135 community care beds.
That development would be phased in over 10-to-15 years.
