The Hart Pioneer Centre really does have a lot of heart and it is seen every day in all the volunteers that make it what it is – a great place to be.
This is the only senior centre in Prince George that successfully owns, operates and maintains its own facility.
Founded in 1985 by a group of progressive seniors, the centre operates under the never-ending efforts of its volunteers, kind donations from the community and fundraising events.
And you know the old saying - the way to a person’s h(e)art is through their stomach - and with Chef Frank Steinbauer at the helm of the kitchen, a variety of healthy, generously-proportioned meals are available for take away or to eat in five days a week.
As we all know, the takeout option was made popular through the pandemic but the centre will keep offering that option as people have gotten used to it, Lorraine Prouse, president of the Hart Pioneer Centre Society explained.
Activities for the 230 members include carpet bowling, pool, line dancing and special events like pancake breakfasts, bingo, yoga class, crib tournaments, and dances at least once a month.
Things are looking like they use to pre-pandemic and that’s good news for everyone, Lorraine said.
The centre provides space for weddings, reunions, graduations, memorials and any other special occasion that might come up. The proceeds from those events all go toward operating costs for the Hart Pioneer Centre.
“So every Saturday since April when we could open again seems to be taken up,” Lorraine said.
Now that the pandemic seems to be restriction free there’s good news for Hart seniors.
“In September we’ll be full blast,” Prouse said with a smile.
There’s a new program called ActivAge, which is fitness geared for seniors, with options to do exercises while seated for those with mobility issues as well as those who are strong enough to stand.
The program focuses on improving activities associated with daily living and strengthening muscles that are used on a daily basis. The program, for example, will improve bending, lifting and stretching.
A big event slated for the Hart Pioneer Centre is Oktoberfest on Oct. 15, including authentic German cuisine and the B Side band set to provide music for the dance to follow dinner. Check the Hart Pioneer Centre Facebook for more details as they become available. Tickets are $50 and will be available at the Centre.
The Hart Pioneer Centre used to host dances twice a month pre-COVID but now things have changed a bit as they’ve lost members during the pandemic who never missed a dance.
Prouse said they will host dances once a month and members decided during a meeting that the events will be theme dances, hence the Oktoberfest dance.
November’s dance theme has not been decided but there will be a New Year’s Eve dance on Dec. 31 with the B Side band providing the music.
For more information about what's happening visit the Hart Pioneer Centre at 6986 Hart Highway or visit the Hart Pioneer Centre Facebook page for all the latest information, including their monthly menu of delicious food.
Membership is $20 per year.
