With 15 years of service to the region behind it the West Boundary Senior Housing Society is gearing up for their annual general meeting at the end of this month.
Long-serving director Vicki Feist has agreed to stay in her position as president for another year—owing to the fact that Lorene Matteis recently moved out of the area leaving Parkview with a new administrator, Cheryle Thompson.
Feist has been on the board since its’ inception in 1998—serving as vice-president until 2002 and as president every since.
She says that WBSHS needs new board members not only to replace some of the older members but also to ensure representation from each of the five communities served by the society—Greenwood, Midway, Rock Creek, Bridesville and Westbridge.
The board meets on the last Wednesday of month in the early afternoon. Feist said the positions of secretary and treasurer will be open for election this year.
WBSHS manages Parkview Manor in Midway as a non-profit, low-income senior housing facility, with twenty apartments, five of which are Assisted Living.
In 1998 the West Boundary Senior Housing Society was formed. The doors of Parkview Manor were opened on April 1, 2001. Over the years four residents have celebrated their 100th birthday while living at the manor.
“The board, administration and staff are committed to the continuing responsible stewardship of the facility and services provided for the senior citizens who call Parkview Manor home,” said Feist.
“I know this is a very competent organization; very well run.”
The society has an operating agreement with BC Housing to provide low-income housing for seniors. All 20 units are subsidized by BC Housing for rent only.
The society recognizes the value of good nutrition and with fundraising from businesses and individuals in the Boundary area they built and now operate a kitchen and staff prepared two home cooked meals a day - lunch and dinner. There is a hospitality component is charged equally to all tenants that funds the kitchen, the emergency response system, and a portion of the administrative wages.
Future dreams include the addition of an extension to include a wellness centre. She suggested that younger board members who are willing to work around the clock are always welcome.
At the 10th birthday celebration resident Esther Dawson spoke glowingly of the facility. “I hope you people who live here understand how lucky we are, I have visited other senior’s complexes and we are lucky because this is the only one that I have been in that we actually have an apartment.
“Every place else has been one room—and some of those rooms are barely big enough to hold a single bed and a little cupboard.”
“So when we came into here, my husband said this is the best place we could have chosen. When I first moved up here I had lived in Oliver for 81 years—but it was the best decision we ever made. You get good food, the staff is just fantastic— you can’t help but love them.”
The AGM will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 30 in the basement activity room of Parkview Manor, 670 9th Avenue. For information call Vicki Feist at 250- 446-2333.