By Pepper Parr
December 21st, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
There is something cruel about this notice.
Burlington Seniors’ Centre
The Burlington Seniors’ Centre at New St. will close Dec. 23, 2023, for building maintenance, and re-open on Jan. 2, 2024.
Seniors’ are the demographic that find themselves alone far to often.
Bistro at the Seniors’ Centre
The Christmas holiday for these people is often cruel – to close one of the few places they can gather is just plain wrong. Of course the building has to be maintained – but this work doesn’t have to be done over the Christmas holiday.
Why a member of City Council didn’t spot this and direct the administration to keep the building open – reduce some of the programs – perhaps.
Would it have been too much to ask that the programs be increased?
Had it been kept open it would have made an excellent photo op for the ward Council member or the Mayor.
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
‘A Christmas Carol’ but in reverse where Mr Scrooge haunts seniors as an evil spirit in their dreams on Christmas Eve.
For many those at the Senior Centre think of those they meet on a regular basis at the Centre as family. With the inability of their many senior’s families to afford housing in Burlington, many moved away.
We need more consistent compassionate decision-making when it comes to our seniors and other vulnerable members of the community that is for sure. The budget meeting certainly expressed the public’s desire for more compassionate decision-making. Lydia Thomas being just one who reminded Council and staff that present day circumstances need to be considered in the decision making that makes our city tick.
This Christmas shutdown has been happening for years. The building might reopen on January 2nd, however classes don’t start until January 8th.
Many seniors have questioned the shutdown at this time of the year. As mentioned in your article for many it is a very lonely time.