The Altona Senior Centre marked an important milestone this year as members gathered for the organization’s 52nd annual meeting on Feb. 26—a reminder of the centre’s long-standing role as a place where local residents can connect and support one another.
Board chair Bill Penner said the meeting was largely an opportunity to reflect on the past year and look ahead at how the centre can continue serving the community.
“Our financial statement looks positive,” he shared. “We had about $13,000 in income last year, and we don’t have any major expenses.”
Recent improvements to the building have helped keep the facility in good shape. The centre replaced its roof and parking lot the previous year, while the past year focused on more maintenance and smaller upgrades, including the purchase of a freezer and refrigerator.
The board is also in the process of freshening up the interior of the building with professional cleaning, repairs to wall damage, and a new coat of paint.
“It’ll brighten it up a little bit,” Penner said.
While the centre hosts a variety of rentals throughout the year, one event in particular has become a local favourite: the monthly waffle breakfast.
Held on the second Thursday of every month, the breakfast regularly draws upwards of 100 people. Volunteers begin preparing early in the morning, with several waffle irons running at once in the kitchen. For $10, guests receive a waffle topped with white sauce, fruit, and ice cream.
It’s a simple tradition that has become a key part of the centre’s operations.
“The waffle breakfasts bring us about a third of our revenue every year,” Penner noted.
The event is run by a dedicated team of volunteers, many of whom have been helping for years.
“We have a wonderful group of ladies that does the breakfast,” Penner said. “Without them, our centre would look a lot sadder financially.”
Beyond the breakfasts, the facility also hosts weekly card games and is rented for meetings, community gatherings, and family events.
“We have Tuesday nights where people get together to play cards,” Penner said. “Rentals are actually our major income.”
Over the decades, the centre has also hosted additional activities, including a seniors choir and monthly birthday celebrations. Some of these programs slowed or stopped during the pandemic and have not yet been restarted.
The board hopes to see more activities return in the future, but like many community organizations, the centre faces challenges when it comes to volunteer capacity.
“One of the downsides we find is getting volunteers,” Penner said. “We still have one opening on the board that we haven’t been able to fill.”
Many current volunteers have spent decades contributing to community organizations and are beginning to step back from leadership roles.
“One of the guys said to me, ‘I’m in my late 70s and I’m boarded out’,” Penner said. “And that’s a fair statement. A lot of people have given many years to boards and community groups.”
Despite the challenges, Penner says the centre remains an important part of Altona’s community life. In addition to regular events, the building provides an accessible space for smaller gatherings that might not fit larger venues.
“There is still a need for a facility like ours,” he said. “It’s not expensive to rent, and it provides a place for people to gather.”
Looking ahead, Penner hopes more residents will consider getting involved, whether by volunteering, attending events, or helping bring new ideas forward.
“We would love to have more activities,” he said. “But it takes people to make those things happen.”
For now, the focus remains on maintaining the centre’s welcoming atmosphere and continuing the traditions that have kept it alive for more than five decades.
“I think it’s about keeping it alive,” Penner said. “And hopefully the community will continue to support it.”
