INNISFAIL – It was nearly a half century ago when a group of eight local senior citizens were playing cards in the garage of a local business when inspiration struck.
They needed a bigger and warmer place to meet.
The seniors led by Mabel and Oscar Lundgren, who had already led the charge to create the Innisfail Senior Drop-In Society in 1974, approached the town about space in the old Innisfail fire hall.
Back then it was perfect. It had running water and a washroom.
Today the Innisfail Senior Drop-In Society has 300 members, including 90 active ones, and their current home and meeting place has been called the Lundgren Centre since 2018 after Mabel and Oscar, their beloved founders.
The Lundgren Centre is a town-owned facility that has all the best modern amenities one could ever dream for the town’s most cherished citizens.
“It's a great place because it's one where seniors feel safe. They can come and do all kinds of activities here,” said Cheryl Scheie, president of today’s Innisfail Senior Drop-In Society, one of 17 since the drop-in was created 50 years ago.
“We pay a lease every year, but it's so minimal. It's fantastic. We have power and water and sewer and garbage and telephone all underneath that lease,” said Scheie. “It is really amazing by today's standards.”
Scheie was at the Lundgren Centre on Nov. 17 to lead the celebration for the society’s 50th golden anniversary.
“It is a big milestone, especially for a little group of eight that started out. We have to give tribute back to them because it was their intuitiveness to expand on the need,” Scheie. “People were socializing in their own homes but not coming out and meeting other people, so they needed to come and get into a group.
“It has really expanded our seniors’ perspective on life.”
The celebration on Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. was a free event open to the public.
And more than 100 seniors and their friends attended.
Historical displays were set up.
Volunteers made a nice lunch.
Speeches were made, and course there was entertainment and dancing.
Innisfail mayor Jean Barclay, a huge supporter of the society going back many years before entering politics, was at the celebration to present the society a Certificate of Recognition, cut the 50th anniversary cake and offer a heartfelt celebratory speech.
The mayor noted it was “six or seven” years ago she was told there was more than 2,000 volunteer hours supporting the society.
“I am sure it’s much higher today. It’s just an incredible feat, and it's really about individuals dedicated to this community, who come together as a collective and do good things for others,” said Barclay.
“This place is so special to people, especially for people who are a little bit lonely in their life and maybe lost a spouse, and it's hard to get back out in the community again,” added the mayor. “But they can come here and they can be welcomed, and they can engage.”
