Cypress River Senior Centre 40th anniversary celebration
It is hard to believe that four decades have passed since the Cypress River Senior Centre first opened its welcoming doors! On October 14, the Centre marked this milestone with a lively afternoon gathering that drew around 50 enthusiastic members, guests, and community supporters.
Established in 1986, the Cypress River Senior Centre has long been a vital hub for adults aged 50 and over, providing a warm and inviting space for recreation, social connections, and community involvement.
The celebration of this 40th anniversary offered everyone a heartfelt opportunity to reflect on four decades of shared experiences and meaningful service to local seniors.
The afternoon was enriched by congratulatory messages from notable local figures, including MP Grant Jackson, Tiger Hills Recreation Director Holly Stanton, RM of Victoria Councillor Wil Rex, and Michaela Graham, who represented the Cypress River Community Development Corporation. Their heartfelt words highlighted the Centre’s invaluable contributions to the community.
The festivities were further enlivened by captivating performances from talented entertainers Yvonne Jansen, Bill Ringrose and Albert Wytinck, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.
After the uplifting program, attendees enjoyed delicious anniversary cake, lovingly cut by the esteemed Albert and Irene Claeys. This allowed everyone to gather and reminisce, sharing cherished memories and stories about the Centre’s pivotal role in their lives and the wider community.
The celebration also featured the unveiling of a captivating new heritage wall mural. Installed just days prior, this breathtaking mural captures a panoramic photograph of Cypress River from the early 1950s, offering a nostalgic glimpse into the community’s rich history and streetscape. Complementing this artwork, a meticulously crafted historical photo album was also unveiled, featuring additional photographs and background information that celebrate the Centre’s journey.
This project received generous funding from the Government of Manitoba.
The anniversary celebration coincided with a series of impressive improvements made to the Centre over the past two years. These upgrades breathed new life into the space, featuring a full interior repainting, new flooring throughout the building, and the replacement of essential components like the mini-split and hot water tank. Plumbing repairs, installation of energy-efficient baseboard heaters, technology upgrades, and the creation of the heritage mural and historical photo album further enhanced the Centre.
Local contractors and service providers played a vital role in bringing these improvements to fruition.
During her remarks, President Jeannie Christie conveyed gratitude on behalf of the Board of Directors, acknowledging the invaluable support of volunteers, donors, entertainers, contractors, funding partners, and community organizations. Their collective efforts contributed significantly to both the anniversary celebration and the Centre’s recent renovations.
President Jeannie expressed; “The Cypress River Senior Centre has been an integral part of our community for 40 years. This anniversary allowed us to celebrate our rich history while recognizing the countless volunteers, members, businesses, organizations, and funding partners who continue to support us. Their generosity ensures that the Centre remains a welcoming and vibrant place for seniors today and for future generations.”
As the Centre steps into its fifth decade, it remains committed to providing essential recreational opportunities, social engagement, and community connections for seniors, continuing to be a cherished cornerstone of life in Cypress River and its surrounding areas.
PHOTO CAPTION: Albert and Irene Claeys cut the cakes at the 40th Anniversary of the Cypress River Senior Centre on October 16th. PHOTO BY SUZANNE PADDOCK
