The Sundridge Seniors Club, called "The Happy Gang" say they are upset after being forced to leave their home of 40 years on the lower floor of the Sundridge Community Centre to make way for an Emergency Operations Centre
"Kicked-to-the-Curb" is how the seniors describe the treatment by their village council.
The seniors have been told to be out by June.
The Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA).requires that every municipality must maintain an: emergency management program committee to advise on the development and implementation of an emergency management program. an emergency control group to coordinate a municipality's response in an emergency, and an emergency operations centre.
That centre will leave the Happy Gang homeless.
"The Happy Gang Seniors Club has been a fixture in this location since the 1940s, with over 150 participating members, servicing an area from South River to Magnetawan to Katrine," states a news release from the Gang's executive.
It says the centre is used for weekly sessions of quilting, sewing, knitting, painting, woodworking, card games, and a spirited choir.
The club also has monthly meetings, guest speakers, pot-lucks, get-togethers and semi-annual dinners, and yearly bus trips to locations of interest.
"The club is a distinct service-provider to anyone over 55 years of age, and is supported financially by the Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport and Tourism, and by the municipalities," says the release.
According to the 2016 Canadian Census for Sundridge, over 50 per cent of the 960 reported population was over 55, with 35 per cent over 65 years of age.
"As this area is the dream of many retiring Ontarians, the future of clubs and activities supporting seniors should be protected," says the group. "At this point, the future of the Happy Gang Seniors Club is bleak, most likely they will have to disband. Although the Village has a responsibility to act on behalf of the community and the taxpayer they represent."
In late September of last year the Seniors Club was notified of their necessity to relocate, with no aid or suggestion as to how to do so.
"Perhaps a suitable location can be found in the next month, however moving and packing up generations of memories and history is upsetting to club members," explains the group. "The club has tried to appeal to the Village, by requesting they consider viable alternative sites for the EOC."
This past November, senior club delegates made virtual presentations to each municipality (Sundridge, Strong and Joly) as well as at the Tri-Council meeting.
They pointed to a 2015 proposal by Strong Township which suggested the three communities collaborate to provide a single warming and cooling centre and operations centre combined in the Sundridge Strong Joly Arena; a function utilized in the past.
The Gang says a lack of co-operation between the three municipalities is partly to blame.
"The Strong Township office has many of the necessities required for an effective and efficient EOC, and would be an ideal site if only there were open dialogue between the municipalities."
BayToday reached out to Sundridge mayor Lyle Hall for comment on the issue but received no response.
A recently commissioned Shared Municipal Service Review by KPMG stated that Emergency Management Plans could easily be coordinated, and at little expense.
Looking toward solutions, the Happy Gang even suggested sharing their location on the lower floor of the community centre.
"Sadly, as of April 13, 2022, the Sundridge Council unanimously adopted Staff Report S2022-23 which options that 'the Primary EOC be located within the Village municipal office' (previously known as the community centre)," leaving club members dejected.
The decision is final. The Happy Gang Seniors Club will be evicted on June 30.
The release says "the concerns of the over 150 Happy Gang members living in this area are threefold: a) a seeming lack of/or inadequate investigation, b) a lack of effort to coordinate or dialogue with other municipalities or stake-holders, and c) a lack of transparency by the Emergency Management Program Committee."
It would be a giant loss for the area if the club can't find another home.
"The Happy Gang is a treasure to the entire community. They are known for their donations and support of local organizations including the Food Bank, the Royal Canadian Legion, the Almaguin Pet Rescue and many seniors’ homes, to list a few.
"The Choir has performed for seniors from North Bay to Huntsville. The card tournaments attract not only permanent residents, but also cottagers from all over East Parry Sound. Finally, the multiple crafts, trips, and pot-lucks provide friendship, an opportunity to share stories, and games, explore new ideas, and give one a feeling of worthiness and value without having to leave the community. Can Sundridge really afford to lose this vital group that serves 1 out of almost every two people in the region?"
