Could you imagine New West’s Century House being anything but what it is today—a band shell, a swimming spot, or an extended care centre?

The New Westminster landmark—known for its senior-centred services and delicious cinnamon buns—marks its 65th anniversary on July 23, with festivities to follow on Monday, July 24. The centre opened in 1958, with Princess Margaret presiding over the ribbon cutting ceremony.

She would become an honourary lifelong member in 1979.

“We continue to grow and change with the times to remain the best [seniors] centre supporting the leisure, sports, education and social needs of our New Westminster 50+ community,” a release from the centre to the New West Anchor reads.

The name Century House was meant to symbolize the 100th anniversary of BC’s establishment—while also celebrating rest and relaxation in one’s retirement years.

Life before Century House

According to Century House: New Westminster by Jack David Scott, there weren’t many opportunities that catered to seniors. “There was a summer [program] in the parks and this was well administered, but there was little of a permanent nature,” he writes. “The general attitude—not in New Westminster alone—tended to be that if anyone felt the need for exercise, there was nothing like a good, long walk…why should tax monies be expended on costly and unnecessary facilities?” Scott noted that in the 50s, however, that aforementioned attitude had started to change.

The Junior Chamber of Commerce rallied to see the creation of a recreation commission. Later, a Centennial Committee was set up. It was at this spot in the timeline they considered four options for New West—the ones we mentioned at the top of this article: a band shell, an indoor pool, a seniors’ centre, and an extended care space. This is where the Centennial Committee and the Recreation Commission eventually intersected.

“It was not an easy process, for some of those who were importantly concerned with the final decision were firmly of the opinion that a centre for ‘old people’ was an unnecessary extravagance and would not be popular. Seniors would not want to be identified with a centre for ‘old people,’” Scott notes.

“As soon as it became known that this small open area might be built and used as a meeting place for seniors, residents in the immediate neighbourhood began to organize with a view to prevent the centre being constructed in their locality,” the writer says, adding that a petition was presented to council in May of 1957 to ask that the initially proposed space—then called Clinton Place—be a park. Clinton Place was established in 1863, and known for what the city called its “passive grassy open space.” While the signatures on the petition were being verified, council found out Clinton Place wasn’t park reserve, but was earmarked for street allowances—land held for the use of a street or road. Plans were eventually set up to have the centre located there.

Duncan “Dunc” Russell, who was the chairman of the recreation committee, wasn’t impressed with the initial location. Hearing some of the dismay from the community—for instance Clinton Place being, at the time, so close to a hospital—Russell said he’d been hearing from folks in New West that it felt like a bit of an insult to the older population. Russell and others advocated hard to have the space set up somewhere else, with a suggestion made for Moody Park. The then New West Parks Board didn’t want to put the space there, but Scott says that by June 1957, the group relented. This was affirmed by council, which had the final say, with “only one alderman voting against the proposal,” according to Scott.

A man named Jim Butterworth was the first member of Century House when it opened in 1958; he, like many others, signed up for a membership that included a 50-cent annual fee. The memberships apparently became so popular that they hired Lorraine Arnold, “at a salary of $1.00 per hour” to process applications three days a week. Her shifts each day were three hours long.

The continuous evolution

Offerings have changed with the times at Century House: at one point there was carpet bowling, with the group taking home a number of championships. There were a number of popular card game offerings, including crib and bridge.

Some activities are still quite popular to this day, with exercise and dance programs only some of the highlights. There are also a number of sports-style spaces for members to enjoy, including a badminton court.

Today, Century House is more than just a space for seniors: it figuratively—and literally—bridges the gap with other groups in the community. As an example, this author was taken on a tour of the space last year and was pleasantly surprised to see that only a door separated Century House from the New West Youth Centre. People stop by for incredible deals and steals at the Connections Cafe—the cinnamon buns are a popular offering.

Joy St. John is the president of Century House Association. Her tireless efforts to improve the space are incredible, and when you first meet her, you know the space is in good hands. St. John was actually the person who gave me the comprehensive tour, sharing stories of each space she took me through. The centre is currently managed by Ryan Weber, while Shelly Schnee and Hannah Glavin serve as the recreation supervisor and programs coordinator, respectively.

While memberships are no longer 50 cents annually—they’re now $25—the fee provided unfettered access to activities, lunch programs, and connection opportunities. There are options for counselling and peer support.

Be sure to take the time to learn more about this important community cornerstone—and don’t miss the celebration at 1pm on Monday, July 24.

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