The benefits of an active lifestyle include greater physical strength, improved flexibility, healthier lungs and a stronger heart.
Activity should be defined in broad terms: it is not necessary to go to a gym and lift weights in order to get daily exercise. Many older people enjoy getting involved in an activity such as skating, bike riding or swimming which they may not have done since they were children. Walking short distances can be an excellent form of exercise, and in our moderate climate we can walk almost every day of the year.
Even after injuries or illness, simple strength and stretching exercises can be done from a sitting or standing position. Contact a local recreation or seniors’ centre for information about activity programs suited to people in recovery from illness or injury. Some centres also offer special programs for those recovering from an acute illness, such as a heart health class.
Visit a doctor and consult with a VIHA Case Manager or other healthcare professionals before starting any new physical activity program.
Recreation & Fitness Centres
Most recreation centres offer seniors’ discounts and special programs for those with limited mobility. In addition, senior’s activity centres all offer recreation programs designed with older participants in mind. Programs are available online or in print from the centres.
In addition to public recreation centres, there are many not-for-profit social groups who offer a physically active component to their programs. These groups are discussed in the Social Activity section, but they also offer the benefits of physical activity. Examples include lawn bowling, walking or horseshoes clubs.
See below for a list of recreation and fitness centres in the Capital Regional District.
Colwood, Langford, Metchosin, Highlands, View Royal
| Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre 1767 Island Highway Victoria BC V9B 1J1 250-478-8384 |
Esquimalt:
| Esquimalt Recreation Centre and Pool 1229 Esquimalt Rd Esquimalt BC, V9A 3P1 250-414-7100 |
Archie Browning Sports Centre 1151 Esquimalt Road Esquimalt BC V9A 3N6 250-412-8510 |
Gulf Islands:
| Salt Spring Island Parks & Recreation 145 Vesuvius Bay Road Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 1K3 250-537-4448 |
Oak Bay:
| Oak Bay Recreation Centre 1975 Bee Street Victoria BC, V8R 5E6 250-595-7946 |
Henderson Centre 2291 Cedar Hill X Road Victoria BC, V8P 5H9 250-370-7200 |
|
Curves Oak Bay |
District of Saanich:
| Cedar Hill Recreation Centre 3220 Cedar Hill Rd Victoria BC, V8P 3Y3 250-475-7121 |
E.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre 3100 Tillicum Rd Victoria BC, V9A 6T2 250-475-5400 |
|
Gordon Head Recreation Centre |
Saanich Commonwealth Place 4636 Elk Lake Drive Victoria BC, V8Z 5M1 250-475-7600 24 Hour Info Line: 250-475-7620 |
Saanich Peninsula:
| Panorama Recreation Centre 1885 Forest Park Drive North Saanich BC, V8L 4A3 250-656-7271 |
Sooke, Metchosin:
| SEAPARC Leisure Complex 2168 Phillips Road PO Box 421 Sooke, BC V9Z 1H4 250-642-8000 |
Victoria City:
| Crystal Pool & Fitness Centre 2275 Quadra Street Victoria, BC V8T 4C4 250-361-0732 |
YMYWCA - Downtown 851 Broughton Street Victoria BC V8W 1E5 250-386-7511 |
Seniors Activity Centres
A perfect choice for seniors who like to stay active, social, and want to meet other people in the same stage of life. These centres offer a variety of programs which focus on maintaining an active lifestyle while accommodating older adults with physical limitations. For example, Beacon’s SHOAL Centre in Sidney offers classes such as chair yoga, table tennis and chair fit. Many activities centres facilitate social gatherings such as monthly coffees, crafts classes, or card game lessons. Seniors’ activity centres are often attached to a residential facility, but still offer drop-in programs or membership-based activities for residents and non-residents alike.
See below for a list of seniors’ activity centres.
|
Central Saanich Senior Citizens Centre |
Cook Street Village Activity Centre 380 Cook Street Victoria, B.C. V8V 3X7 250-384-6542 |
| James Bay New Horizons Society 234 Menzies Street, Victoria BC V8V 2G7 Reception: 250-386-3035 |
Juan de Fuca 55 Plus Activity Centre 1767 Island Hwy Victoria, BC V9B 1J1 250-474-8618 |
| Monterey Centre 1442 Monterey Avenue, Victoria BC, V8S 4W1 250-370-7300 |
Silver Threads 286 Hampton Rd |
|
SHOAL Centre |
Sooke Seniors' Drop-in Centre |