Photo credit: Golden Age Centre/City of Grande Prairie/sodo efg architecture inc.

By Curtis Galbraith

Community

Rising membership leads to expansion plans for the Golden Age Centre

Feb 27, 2025 | 6:00 AM

A rise in memberships has prompted the Golden Age Centre to look at an expansion project worth over $2.3 million.

Manager Elaine Jobin say the plan is to add 3300 square feet to the north side of the building.

“The reason we are doing it (is) we are sitting up over 750 members, which is a record here.”

“So, to accommodate all of that programming that comes along with new members, we need more room because right now, we are just shuffling people from one room to another.”

Jobin says memberships grew by about 36 per cent in the last year and around 10 per cent the year before.

She adds since January 1 this year; the centre has added 100 members.

Elaine Jobin adds that so far, $382,000 out of the need $2.3 million has already been set aside.

“I am also writing grants furiously to try to get some funding that way as well.”

“It’s a big project and it’s a big expense, so we are hoping that the community will support our mission here and help out as well.”

Jobin says they would take cash and gift in kind donations. Tax receipts would be issued.

She adds they want to use local products and labour in this project.

Jobin says the centre will soon start looking for naming rights sponsors for some of the building’s rooms.

The hope is to start construction in 2026. It would take about a year to finish.

Artist rendering of the proposed expansion at the Golden Age Centre. The new part that is planned is on the right with all the big windows. Photo credit: Golden Age Centre/City of Grande Prairie/sodo efg architecture inc.

Jobin says the centre is busy with programming like recreational activities , health and wellness programs, and clinics and workshops on healthy aging. These would be among the things the new space would be used for

She adds they also hope to generate revenue by hosting community events.

Besides all of this, city hall is going to have discussions around parking at the centre.

Jobin says parking will always be something the centre and city hall talk about.

“We do have a fair bit of parking, but you could imagine with a large membership how terribly tight that is.”

“The city has actually been really good, I mean, we’re just brainstorming some ideas right now (for) some of our larger events.”

Jobin says ideas include having a city bus pick people up or non-members parking down the street or in Muskoseepi Park. She adds there is no room to expand the parking lot.

The Golden Age Centre was incorporated on March 10, 1975, according to its social media page. To celebrate, it will be hosting a 50th anniversary gala on March 10 this year.

The centre also launched a new website earlier this week.