On Weekdays Northwood Community Centre on Clubhouse Crescent is a hive of activity, and a lifeline to healthy living for its numerous participants in the Downsview neighbourhood.
Women and men over 55 are drawn to the fun, free and beneficial programs that are run under the sponsorship of Lumacare in its Healthier Living Centre.
Line-dancing, yoga, zumba, cardiofit and several other programs are offered. One of the walking groups uses the Hangar at Downsview Park, and a dance class is run out of the Hub at Bathurst and Finch.
Enthusiasm for the activities is evident in the growth in physical numbers over the years. Eight years ago I joined line-dancing with 8 to 10 others. Now we have two sessions, each with 30 participants. Similarly yoga has grown from a class of 12 to about 50 people.
In addition to the health focus there are trips to promote socialization between members to places such as the Aquarium, Fallsview Casino, St Jacob’s Market, High Park Allan Gardens, and even abroad to Cuba and the Dominican Republic.
Information sessions on health issues, nutrition and aging are conducted by experts in the various fields. The benefits to participants are apparent when you see our energy levels, and realize that we all look, and feel younger than when we joined.
It is delightful to see the diversity in the Healthier Living Centre. We celebrate with fashion shows, cultural dress, ethnic food potlucks, music and other presentations.
The programme co-ordinator Andres Guerrero has found 162 mother and 32 father figures in those enrolled at the Centre; together with his Assistant Robert Danchuck they provide personalized attention to each member.
Throughout the years Lumacare has risen to the challenge of providing viable programs, capable instructors, flexible schedules and has maintained a high level of interest among its participants. The benefits are to the community at large as there are fewer bored, depressed, ailing geriatrics living in our community.
Recently in the summertime grandparents have occasionally experienced timing conflicts, so they have invited their grandchildren to watch them in their classes. The glowing eyes of the youngsters show their pleasure and amazement as they watch their grandparents enjoying themselves.
The relationships we have built over the years extend beyond the activities in the centre and we often socialize in the evenings and on weekends by going out for lunch in the city, dancing, watching movies, swimming, bowling, and just generally filling our retirement years with a lot of joy and good company!
Interested inparticipating in Northwood Community Centre activities?
E-mail us at
info@downsviewadvocate.ca