INNISFAIL – The Lundgren Centre is helping seniors and youth connect.
The centre, formerly officially known as the Innisfail Seniors Drop-In Centre, recently invited several youth out for a game of floor curling and to learn about the facility.
“We invited them to come just to show what we do for recreation as a centre,” said Gail Tetzlaff, president of the centre.
A total of six Innisfail youth participated from Youth HQ in Red Deer, an organization that includes the youth shelter, the Boys and Girls Club and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
“We’re here as the Boys and Girls Club,” said Emily West, program coordinator for Red Deer and Innisfail.
“We wanted to figure out a way for our kids to interact with the older generation in town and get some intergenerational connections going,” she added. “I talked with the seniors drop-in centre about bringing them down and what some options would be.
“They’ve had so much fun learning how to play floor curling and made some new friends. They all had a great time,” said West, noting they hope to return for activities throughout the year.
Tetzlaff said floor curling is held every Monday and Thursday morning at the centre, with carpet bowling on Tuesday and Friday mornings at the centre.
“The rules are basically the same as in ice curling,” she said, noting the difference in equipment used. “The (curling rocks) are made of wood and they’re quite light. We have sticks instead of brooms so we can’t sweep.
“It’s just like ice curling except you’re playing with a wooden rock and wooden sticks to push the rocks.”
She noted how both youth and seniors enjoyed the activity together.
“The kids were so excited. They asked if we can bring them back at a later date. They’re having so much fun,” said Tetzlaff, adding that it also gives kids a chance to learn a new sport and about teamwork.
It also helps the younger generations learn more about the seniors drop-in centre, she added.
“We’re trying to get the centre out in the public so people know what we do,” said Tetzlaff. “We’re not just a little group of senior citizens. We really want to get people, especially the younger people to come in and see exactly what we do.
“We do have our sports. We have our special events and we celebrate every holiday in every month,” she added. “We also have birthday parties once a month.”
In addition, they have live entertainment and music jams every Saturday afternoon with local talent.
It opens up the centre to the community, said Tetzlaff.
“We’re not sitting in rocking chairs. We’re getting involved.”
