West Central Abilities to officially open Day Program building
By Joan Janzen
There’s lots of activity happening at the West Central Abilities’ Day Program building in Kindersley! Besides preparing for their grand opening on September 3rd, the staff and clients are enjoying spending their days in their new bright environment.
Executive Director Tamara Wiebe said they officially opened on July 31st, prior to two busy days of moving followed by two days of unpacking. The spacious area offers the clients the use of a sensory room, common room, outdoor patio, classroom, functional kitchen and much more.
Clients were doing their morning stretches in the common room at West Central Abilities' new program building.
Clients enjoy the sunshine and relaxing on the outdoor patio. A barbecue will be added sometime in the future.
There’s plenty of space in the new facility for a variety of equipment. Executive Director Tamara Wiebe points out the “stander,” which is available for anyone who is wheelchair-bound to have an opportunity to stand and stretch.
Upon entering the common room, I was greeted by a bunch of smiling faces, waves and friendly greetings from the clients and day staff. They were doing their morning stretches and were obviously happy to be there.
They are enjoying all the advantages available at their new location, one of which is the outdoor patio. Clients bring their lunches and eat outside. “A couple of our wheelchair users are out there daily in the sunshine,” Tamara said. “We have a doorbell so they can ring if they need assistance to come back in.”
“They love coming here, and we’re all so excited to be here. They love how nice and bright it is. They’ve taken the opportunity to go for a walk and go to the Co-op for coffee. They didn’t have that opportunity before. It’s been a breath of fresh air,” she said.
There’s still some additional work that needs to be done, Tamara said. A television had just been set up recently, and automated glass doors have yet to be installed. “We have also ordered a new bus thanks to a very generous donation from a member of the community,” she said.
The bus will replace the one which is currently used by the day staff to transport clients from the group homes to the activity centre. The activity centre is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m..., Monday to Friday.
We used the elevator to go upstairs, where the offices are located. Tamara noted that TeleMiracle had donated funds for the installation of the elevator.
When asked if any of the clients missed being in the old building, Tamara said one client kept saying, “Goodbye, old building.” But now she doesn’t want to go back.
Both the staff and clients love coming to the activity centre every day. It’s a bright and cheery atmosphere where clients have the freedom to do whatever activity they prefer. “They come here to have fun,” Tamara said.
Visitors are always welcome at the West Central Abilities Day program building, and a special invitation is extended to the community to attend the official opening and ribbon cutting on September 3rd.