SSAC TEMPORARILY CLOSED

BC Elections, the non-partisan agency charged with running provincial elections, has purchased an option to use the Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre for their Sunshine Coast operation center, pending a snap fall election call. After careful consideration, your Board of Directors has agreed to accept this proposal, as the benefits outweigh many aspects of consideration.

As many of you are aware, Covid-19’s direct effect on the financial bottom line of many businesses has sadly jeopardized their continued operation. The SSAC has been hit hard with huge financial losses and we are working hard to be able to keep our doors open, now and in the future, so you can continue to enjoy the many activities provided. The BC Election opportunity has come at a time when the centre needs funds desperately. With the revenue we will generate in the short period of time that the contract is in effect, (Sept 15th–November 1st with an option for day to day extensions) we will largely salvage the financial loss experienced as a result of the pandemic.

Covid-19 continues to plague us, and Dr. Bonnie Henry reported this week that cases are rising sharply, which was predicted. The likelihood of the centre closing due to Covid-19 is very real and increasing—we could be forced to shut all activities down in the coming days. This would impact the SSAC yet again and could potentially put us out of business.

It is with these considerations that the SSAC Board has made the decision to accept the short-term contract with BC Elections.

We have negotiated with BC Elections to allow us to open the auditorium for activities including pickleball on weekends. Additionally we will continue the food program on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. They have also agreed to facilitate us honouring previous contractual obligations to single-use renters.

The LDS Church is currently being negotiated to return to Sunday mornings only. Their use of space will be restricted to the auditorium and Farish Room, plus adjacent washrooms. Again, BC Elections has agreed to this concession to their occupancy in recognition of our contractual obligation.

We understand that our decision to accept the BC Elections proposal to use our centre will impact our members. We hope you will see that this financial win for the centre will ensure we can operate in the near future so we don’t have to close our doors permanently.

For all information on SSAC operations, please refer to this website, SSAC Facebook page, our Seashell Echo newsletter, and your activity co-ordinators via email.

Thank you.