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Spring Program Registration is OPEN!
Click here to Register online for all current programs including cards, line dancing, pickleball, yoga, Zumba, tai-chi, choir, gentle fitness, personal training and more.
Check out our NEW Spring Newsletter! Activities ongoing from April to June.
The City of Cambridge will no longer require visitors to recreational facilities to show proof of vaccination. Starting March 21, Masks will no longer be required but are encouraged at all city facilities and physical distancing continues to be recommended. For more, visit the COVID-19 Recreation Safety page.
Please check out our Rec from Home Page for great online videos and activities brought to you by Recreation and Culture staff and instructors to keep you creative, move your body and stay engaged!
Facility |
Schedule |
Special Considerations – Public Entrance |
David Durward Centre (DDC)
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Mon - Thurs 8:30 a.m.- 9 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
Entrance at the corner of Dickson St and Wellington St from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and through Cambridge Centre for the Arts (CCA) from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
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Allan Reuter Centre (ARC) |
Mon - Fri 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
Enter through 507 King St. front door |
William E. Pautler Centre |
Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. |
Enter through side entrance from South parking lot. Pickleball will run Mon, Tues, Wed, and Friday mornings. |
Ted Wake Centre (W.G Johnson Centre) |
Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs 8:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. |
31 Kribs St., located inside the W.G. Johnson Centre. |
As with many of our services during this pandemic, staff have been working to find a balance that provides options to the community, while still ensuring the highest level of safety. There are many recreation programs you may still participate in from the comfort of your home.
Stay socially connected by registering for one of the WOW Social or WOW Virtual programs. WOW Social is hosted over the telephone with other participants, and WOW Virtual is hosted over Zoom. Both offer a number of different topics (i.e., trivia games, musical, bingo, educational)
If you are a Facebook follower you will be pleased to hear that there is now a 50+ Facebook page with lots of great links to online events.
The City of Cambridge has four 50+ Recreation Centres which offer a variety of great activities for active older adults! Whether you are looking to get fit or stay fit, learn a new instrument or art form, expand your knowledge or enjoy a friendly game of cards, we have something for everyone.
An annual membership to our 50+ Recreation Centres costs $32.77 (plus HST) and includes access to all four 50+ community centres, free drop-in programs, a discount on registered program fees, access to clubs and more! Become a Member
Recreation & Leisure Resources for Older Adults While Practicing Physical Distancing
Physical Activities | ||||
The Local YMCA’s have compiled a number of options to keep you active at home. Opportunities for all ages and abilities. Classes include Zumba, Zumba Gold, Beginner and Advanced Bootcamp as well as Flow and weight classes. Von Smart Program Exercise and Falls Prevention Program - group exercise that is high mobility-low impact. Falls training program (12 training modules provided by the Upper Grand Family Health Team & VON Canada). The National Institute of Aging - Go 4 Life Program has provided strength & flexibility exercises. Gentle Chair Yoga (30 minute session) provided by University Health - LEAP Service. Walking/Mindfulness - daily walking 10 minute mindful practices. |
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Arts & Culture | ||||
Experience virtual museum tours from around the world, an alternative to in-person visits: Royal Ontario Museum - Toronto, British Museum - London, Guggenheim Museum - New York, and National Gallery of Art - Washington DC., Musee d'Orsay - Paris, National Museum of Contemporary Art - Seoul, Pergamon Museum - Berlin, Rijksmuseum - Amsterdam, Van Gogh Museum - Amsterdam, The J Paul Getty Museum - Los Angeles, Uffizi Gallery - Florence, MASP - Sao Paulo, and National Museum of Anthropology - Mexico City. The Museum is offering unique programming called 55 & Better the first and third Thursday of every month. Virtual art classes, tours and exhibitions via the Homer Watson House and Gallery. View sea life virtually from popular aquariums - Ripleys Aquarium of Canada, and the Vancouver Aquarium Endless virtual opportunities to view landmarks, art, history, cultural sites and architecture from around the world. National Arts Centre is providing a number of scheduled performances by Canadian Artists from various venues that have been impacted by the current covid-19 pandemic. Awe inspiring Cirque du Soleil show footage and fan favourite videos. Exercise the cirque way, learn new makeup techniques or dive into virtual reality. Interested in viewing some Unesco sites? Take a virtual tour without having to leave your home. |
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Crafts/DIY Projects | ||||
There are many sewing projects that you may enjoy including the Cambridge Memorial Hospital sewing mask challenge, creating DIY reusable produce bags, DIY tote bags, and you may like to check out HGTV's 10 easy sewing projects for beginners. Create your own hand-sewn face mask - no sewing machine required. If knitting is more you thing why not try to knit a simple dishcloth, or absolute beginners may wish to try your hand at knitting a scarf, and for those of you wishing to help a great cause why not knit hats for premature babies There are many online colouring books that you may wish to download, enabling you to spend some relaxing moments seeing your creations come to life. Try the world museum colouring book, Super Colouring Pages for adults, or try Just Colour which offers various colouring pages to suit your mood. Enjoy painting? Why not sit back, relax and enjoy the images that Bob Ross has to offer. If you fancy trying your hand at drawing why not check out the quick beginner's guide to drawing. |
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Education and Information | ||||
Feel like doing some online learning? The Massachusetts Institute of Learning (MIT) is offering free and open publication of thousands of MIT courses within their curriculum, ranging from introductory to the most advanced graduate level. Best of all there is no sign up required, no enrollment needed, and no start and end dates. Happy learning. OpenLearn is providing free access to gradudate and undergraduate course materials including subjects such as arts, history, business and education, to information technology, math, science, and statistics, health and technology. They have provided many options for you to choose from. Perhaps you would like to try learning a new language while at home? Duolingo provides a free service to teach several different languages with quick, daily lessons. Get your popcorn ready, sit back and enjoy hundreds of shows, movies and live t.v. from CBC's free streaming services.
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Nature | ||||
Explore birding in your local area, and learn what species you see when out walking (practicing proper social distancing). Ebird is a collaborative tool where users may upload local bird sightings, which aids as useful research for conservation areas regarding the local biodiversity. Interested in visiting one of Canada's National Parks? Parks Canada has put a number of its parks on google street view, thereby allowing you to travel to new parks destinations from the comfort of your home. Check out parts of Banff National Park, as well as some historical sites. Take some time to view The Nature of Things. CBC's website has various nature docuseries uploaded on various topics such as Canada's grasslands to Arctic ice. |
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Games & Puzzles | ||||
Crossword puzzles are a great way to engage the mind while passing the time. We've got a few options to you - why not give them a try? Washington Post Crosswords, Best Crosswords, Readers Digest Canada, or Boatload Puzzles. Wordsearch Puzzles are always a fun activity to while away the hours - so give these a try. The Alzheimer Society of Canada has provided some online puzzles for your enjoyment, you may enjoy The Word Search, or WordSearchPuzzles. Sudoku more you thing? We've got some online challenges for you - Sudoku.com, 24/7 Sudoku, and the NY Times Sudoku. Is your brain in need of a workout? Why not try some brain teasers/trivia games and give your brain some exercise! Jig Saw puzzles - try these out & you won't lose any pieces on the floor while completing them! Jig Saw Planet and Jig Saw Explorer. |
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WOW... (Without Walls) No Technology/Device Required (just a home phone) |
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Are you looking for something to do that doesn't involve having to utilize your device/technology? Perhaps you have a relative, friend, or neighbour that does not have access to the internet and you're looking for suggestions to keep them engaged. Feel free to share Activities for Older Adults to Do At Home Without Technology. WOW Social - Without Walls If you have a phone then you can join WOW Social. The program is an extension of the Without Walls (WOW) telephone service that’s open to all older adults in the city. This program offers groups of people the opportunity to get together over the phone for conversation, trivia games, bingo, and even musical sessions while our in-person programs and services are closed. Be sure to spread the word to anyone you know that may be interested in this type of program - we hope to hear from them soon Sessions will be offered Thursdays and are 30 to 45 minutes in duration. Examples of activities being planned for WOW Social include:
WOW Virtual is here! WOW Virtual is interactive video based programming from the comfort of your home by using your camera via you internet connected device (desktop computer, laptop, tablet or SmartPhone). Topics include a crafter's corner, bingo, virtual tours etc. WOW Virtual will allow you to participate in interactive activities such as arts & crafts, card games, advanced fitness and exercise classes. Please note that some sessions may require a fee for materials and/or instructors. How to Participate
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Useful Agency Information to Access During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Budget Update From Canada's Minister of Seniors (May 21/21) |
Budgetary actions taken to help strengthen seniors financial security later in life. |
Ontario Seniors Dental Care & Seniors Copayment Program (May 11/21) |
The Ontario government recently released an update on access to dental care and affordable prescription drugs for vulnerable seniors. |
How Older Adults Can Protect Their Physical & Mental Wellness During Covid-19 |
For more information about programs and services that are available to help seniors lead healthy, active, and engaged lives over 65, please visit ontario.ca/Seniors. Click here to view the guide to programs and services by the Ontario Government The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) shares practical advice on how to deal with challenges of Covid-19. The Government of Canada recently launched a new portal dedicated to mental wellness: Wellness Together Canada: Mental Health and Substance Use Support. This portal provides free online resources, and connects Canadians to peer support workers, social workers, psychologists and other trained professionals for confidential chat sessions or phone calls, in both official languages. Resources include modules for addressing low mood, worry, substance use, social isolation and relationship issues. Government of Ontario Set To Launch Largest Flu Campaign in History The Ontario government is implementing the largest flu immunization campaign in Ontario's history. The campaign is part of the province's comprehensive plan to prepare the health system for a second wave of COVID-19. The plan, entitled Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-19, sets out a series of steps to prevent, identify and respond to any outbreak scenario this fall. COVID-19 Public Health Resources The Public Health Agency of Canada has resources available to assist seniors and caregivers, including information on how to prevent COVID-19 and tips on taking care of physical and mental health. |
Financial Supports for Older Adults during Covid-19 (updated Mar. 10/21) |
What You Need to Know for the 2021 Tax Filing Season This year, the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected your tax-filing situation and may also affect the way you usually file your income tax and benefit return. Over 30 million returns were filed last season, and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) wants to help you get ready to file your return this year. Here’s what you need to know for this tax-filing season, including filing options, COVID-19 benefits, and what’s new. Some seniors, income support recipients to get low-cost Rogers service Beginning the week of July 6, 2020, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)/Service Canada will provide eligible seniors with a one-time tax-free payment of $300 for seniors eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension, with an additional $200 for seniors eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). This measure would give a total of $500 to individuals who are eligible to receive both the OAS and the GIS, and will help them cover increased costs caused by COVID-19. Individuals will not have to apply for this additional benefit. Govt. has also temporarily extended GIS and Allowance payments if seniors’ 2019 income information has not been assessed. This will ensure that the most vulnerable seniors continue to receive their benefits when they need them the most. To avoid an interruption in benefits, seniors are encouraged to submit their 2019 income information as soon as possible and no later than by October 1, 2020. You may also find information online at canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/notice-covid-19/one-time-payment
PM's office releases information on May 12/20 regarding additional financial supports for older adults. |
2021 Federal Budget Highlights re Seniors (updated April 26/21) |
Here are a few of the key proposed initiatives in Budget 2021 for seniors:
This would increase the benefits for 3.3 million seniors, providing additional benefits of $766 to full OAS pensioners in the first year, and indexed to inflation going forward.
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Grocery/Shopping info during Covid-19 |
Access to Food Bank of Waterloo Region During the Pandemic If you are experiencing food concerns/shortages as a result of COVID-19, please call The Food Bank of Waterloo Region at 519-743-5576 ext. 340 and leave your name and number. A representative from the Food Bank will connect with you. |
The City of Cambridge offers Support Services for Older Adults. Learn about volunteer opportunities and find ways to stay active and connected to your community.