Visitors bicycle past art outside the Veiner Centre in Medicine Hat on Tuesday afternoon. The centre's annual report was presented to the council's public services division meeting that morning.--News Photo Collin Gallant
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
The first year under contracted operations of the Veiner Centre in Medicine Hat is considered a success, a city committee heard in a one-year review early this week, though a budget report is still due in early 2023.
The Kirby Centre took over day-to-day operations and programming last September as the city sought to reduce costs of providing seniors’ services while boosting membership at the centre in the North Flats that reopened in 2019.
At the time, the largely renovated and remodelled centre came under operating budget scrutiny, with councillors eventually approving a contract to save $100,000 with promises that greater flexibility would draw more members.
On Monday, the public services committee received a report stating activity at the centre was recovering well.
“It’s been a real journey, that began with the flood, and planning what (the centre) would look like,” said longtime local member Gordon Nott. “Now we’re seeing the benefits. The community down there is just full of buzz.”
Kirby officials, who also operate a seniors centre in Calgary, say the Veiner centre had 925 members in late 2019, then about 600 during late 2021 while operating on a limited basis due to health protocols. The number has doubled to nearly 1,300 as of this month.
“I think there has been a tremendous relationship that has been built with Kirby, and it’s serving the community of Medicine Hat and seniors here very well,” aid division managing director Brian Mastel.
“We really felt there was an opportunity to elevate the level of service and lower-cost structure than as a city-operated facility.”
The organization aims to offer about 50 education programs each year, ranging from tax clinics and talks to fitness and mental health workshops.
Operations at the Meals of Wheels component shows 190 clients, 18 are subsidized, though officials said volunteer numbers are hampered by COVID and cost of fuel for Meals on Wheels drivers.
The budget report is due before committee in February, along with a satisfaction survey from members.
From an operations and outreach standpoint, committee members were pleased with the report.
“I was very apprehensive about management going outside the city, but I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews from members,” said Coun. Alison Van Dyke.
