After calling the Town & Country Centre home since 1977, Airdrie's Over 50 Club says they have outgrown their current space.

"After forty years being at the T&C, we find it no longer serves our purpose," said Myrtle Brewster, President of the Board. "It's an old building, and it's too small."

The Over 50 Club submitted a letter to the City outlining their needs and requests. On Monday (August 21), a large contingent of the club sat in on the Council meeting to show their support of the letter.

The Over 50 Club currently boasts over 300 members. The current space only has standing capacity for 325 people and seating capacity for 250. Brewster said this makes it difficult to host events, as the club becomes quite crowded and they often have to turn away people.

Brewster explained that there are other concerns as well.

Members of the Over 50 Club are invited to write down what they hope to see in a new space on a sheet hanging on the club's wall.

"We lack storage. All our chairs are sitting, taking up a lot of room on the floor in the corner of the room. The floor is unlevel because it's an old building. We don't have a janitorial closet with water, so it's unsanitary."

The space also does not have appropriate exits for members in wheelchairs and walkers. As outlined in the letter, the walls show positive testing for asbestos, which makes expanding the building unlikely.

Brewster said their wish list for a new facility includes many items. Mainly they want a large enough space to meet their needs that also has an approved kitchen where they can prepare meals as well as multiple rooms so they can hold meetings and activities simultaneously. Brewster said they are also open to the idea of having the Over 50 Club housed in a larger nonprofit facility that hosts other groups.

Brewster was happy with the reception the club received on Monday night.

"The Mayor was very positive in his response to us, saying good things usually happen if we attend City Council and make this request, so we're very hopeful at this point."

Brewster said they know that they'll have to be patient. With the election coming up, she believes that a new space won't be a priority for the City until after the fall, but she's hopeful that once the new Council comes in, they'll work with the club to find a new home.

 

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