With nearly a third of Cochrane’s population over the age of 50, it’s no surprise that Seniors' Week is a special occasion in the community. This year, Seniors on the Bow (SOTB) is marking the occasion by opening its doors to all local seniors, offering a full schedule of free drop-in activities from June 2 to 6.
“We want to provide a nice variety of social, fitness, and recreational activities for our membership and the general seniors community combined,” said Jeremy Coulter, program coordinator for SOTB. “A third of Cochrane’s population is basically seniors.”
While SOTB has an established membership base, adults aged 50 and older are always welcome to participate in its offerings. For Seniors' Week, the organization is waiving all program entry fees to encourage greater participation and engagement.
“This is our way of getting more people involved,” said Coulter. “We're getting new seniors all the time coming into Cochrane and a lot of them are on fixed incomes. This week is a great opportunity for them to see what’s out there at no cost.”
Highlights of the week include SOTB’s popular crib tournament on Monday, June 2 at 1 p.m., and a community spaghetti lunch on Friday, June 6 at 12:30 p.m. Other free drop-in activities include:
- Zumba Gold
- Yoga
- Carpet Bowling
- Bridge
- Walking Group
One of the most popular sessions is line dancing, which takes place Thursday, June 5 at 1 p.m. According to Coulter, attendance has nearly doubled in recent months.
“It went from 15 or 16 people to now almost 30,” he said. “It’s a rigorous class—it’s not just a simple little clap-your-hands, do-a-turn type of class. It’s full-on line dancing.”
Despite the popularity of its programs, Coulter notes that SOTB is still a hidden gem for some local seniors.
“We’re kind of tucked away in the back corner of the second floor of the SLS Sports Centre, so we’re a bit out of the way,” he said. “But when people find us, I think there’s a real feeling that this is your place—where you can come, relax, meet new friends, and have fun.”
SOTB board member Steve Pikov has been involved with the organization for more than two years. He joined shortly after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, looking for ways to reconnect with the community.
“It’s difficult for me to find people to connect with in town, so I figured I’d join Seniors on the Bow, seeing that I’d been considering it for a while,” he said.
Pikov enjoys playing cribbage and mahjong and regularly attends theatre outings organized by the group. While he describes himself as an introvert, he says SOTB has given him a valuable platform to engage socially.
“I haven’t made deep connections yet, but I appreciate that we have this place to at least socialize and do activities with other people,” he said. “We’re a growing demographic within Cochrane, and I’m sure there are a lot of people like me looking for a place to go, activities to do, and people of similar age and interests to connect with.”
Seniors' Week festivities will conclude with a Seniors' Dance on Saturday, June 7, from 7 to 10 p.m. The evening will feature a live performance by the Hippocratic Oath Big Band.
For a full list of events and more information, visit sotbcochrane.ca.
