1976-1986

The Fairfield Community Association (later renamed the Fairfield Gonzales Community Association) was formally incorporated in 1975. It's very first project was to establish a Centre for seniors. With financial support from a federal Local Initiatives Project) (LIP) grant, Joan Halvorsen and Helen Oldershaw were hired as coordinators for 5 months to get a Centre up and running. At the time, that Association had no executive director and no other staff. The coordinators were supervised by provincial government social workers Jack Humble and Gwen Lundy. They all worked from a very small office in Fairfield Plaza. To put the salary into perspective, each coordinator earned a whopping $750/month.

A notice was placed in The Victorian newspaper December 3, 1975, asking the public for suggestions to from a new Senior Centre. A group of seniors enthusiastically formed a board, activities were organized, and the Centre officially opened in the basement of the Fairfield United Church on January 12, 1976. At that time, it was called the Fairfield Activity Centre. City Councilor (then called Alderman) Alf Hood cut the ribbon for the opening.  



 Fairfield United Church



Coordinator Joan Halvorsen and Alderman Alf Hood at Ribbon Cutting



First Board of Directors: Back: Peter Porter, Lou Hall, Anne Mulley.
Middle: Greta Ferguson, Jess Robinson, Doris Morson, Margaret Baker.
Front: Helen Oldershaw (Coordinator), Doris Portman, Elizabeth Rogers. Missing: Evelyn Banfield, Winn Tapping.  

The Board of Directors were a resolute, hands-on, and energetic group. The majority of them were women who had lost their husbands to illness but were determined to continue to live life to the fullest in the company of new congenial friends. Small groups of newly formed friends would often go out for dinner or to a show after daytime activities at the Centre. Many of the Centre members cheerfully pitched in to help when needed doing everything from washing dishes to offering their homes for board meetings.

By February of 1976 membership was already at 83. There was a wide range of programs and events including arts and crafts such as woodcarving, beading, crocheting, macrame, and rug making, card games, and health classes given by St. John’s Ambulance Association. The members of the “Busy Hands” craft group contributed their work to craft fairs, thereby raising steady and substantial amounts of extra funds for the Centre.

Special occasion teas were well attended with close to 150 guests at a spring tea on April 7, 1977. Things were ‘old fashioned” then with the spring tea tickets having hand drawn daffodils on them. Particularly popular were movie times. Heavy projectors were borrowed from Sir James Douglas School and lugged across the street to the Church.



Attentive Movie Watchers



Coordinators Joan Halvorsen and Helen Oldershaw with the heavy projector

The seniors loved the Centre so much that when the coordinators left, a group of seniors thanked Joan and Helen for getting the Centre going by treating them to a tea at the Empress. And did the seniors ever dress up for that fancy event.


Thank You Party at the Empress

To keep the Centre going, another federal grant application was made, and a New Horizons grant was awarded in May 1976 to establish a permanent Centre. The name of the Centre was changed to Fairfield New Horizons Activity Centre.

Federal Registered Charity Status was approved June 1, 1977.



Board of Directors when Charity Status was approved.
Back: Doris Morson Doris Portman, Margaret Baker, Dorothy Wilson, Lou Hall.
Front: Win Tapping, Jess Robinson, Anne Mulley, Greta Ferguson, Win MacIntosh. Missing from photo: Evelyn Banfield, Bert Yates.

Membership had outgrown the space in the Church, and the Victoria School Board came to the rescue by offering the seniors a new home in the Sir James Douglas School Annex for $1.00. The Centre was responsible for and had to pay all costs for renovating, any major repairs, general building maintenance and equipment, all utilities and janitorial services, and insurance costs. The Annex had been used as a kindergarten and required several renovations and improvements including building and equipping a kitchen. Much of the work was carried out by members.

The Centre formally opened in that location September 26, 1977.  



Programs expanded as there was then room for additional activities such as carpet bowling, billiards, square dance, pottery, lapidary, sewing, cake decorating, painting, sketching, photography, French lessons, creative writing, music groups, panel discussions, first aid lectures and demonstrations, public health services, bingo and food services. Children from Sir James Douglas School used the building for music lessons and provided entertainment with musical programs. Some children attended the senior woodworking and craft classes thereby bringing generations together. There was a social Centre, a library and reading room, and there were wonderful bus trips including one to Hurricane Ridge on the Olympic Peninsula!  


1977 Program Schedule



1986 – 1996

In 1989, the growing number of children in the Fairfield area forced the Greater Victoria School Board to reclaim the Annex and the seniors had to leave their happy home. They packed up and moved their belongings, to 910 View Street. Although the View Street location was outside the boundaries of the Fairfield area, the membership continued to grow and activities increased. Despite the friendly warmth at View Street, the old building had seen better days. In August 1990 it was declared unsafe. 



The Centre returned to the Fairfield United Church, this time moving into the Church Hall/gymnasium. Membership had grown to 300.



Having had four locations, the seniors were weary of moving, but undaunted in spirit. They devised a plan to save for a Centre of their own and gathered 1,300 names on a petition to support the fight for a new Centre.

After many discouraging delays regarding the construction of the new Centre, the seniors found Birch Builders a construction company that proposed to develop the site at 380 Cook Street. It was to be a $9 million four story building with 35 senior oriented condominiums, and the Centre on the ground floor. The membership of 300 raised $383,000 towards the building.

On March 16, 1992, the great sod turning ceremony took place. 


Sod Turning Ceremony at 380 Cook Street
 

Throughout the summer, construction was eagerly watched. The final move to the new home was December 4, 1992. It was called the Seniors Fairfield Activity Centre.




On January 6, 1993, Mayor John Turner declared the Centre officially open. Patience, persistence and the pioneer spirit of many seniors made the wonderful dream a reality!


Insert photo: Mayor John Turner at Official Opening (note: need to find photo) - not found 



1996 – 2006

Settled securely at 380 Cook Street, Fairfield New Horizons flourished into the bustling heart of village life. This decade was a rewarding time of putting down deep roots, building cherished traditions, and enjoying the comfort of a permanent home. Membership climbed steadily across the years, reaching a historic peak in 2003 with nearly 1,000 active members under dedicated leadership.


2003 Board of Directors



First Executive Director - Judith Cameron (Right)
Second Executive Director - Crstal Hill (Left)

With a permanent facility established, the Centre focused on enriching its daily life and fostering lasting connections. The lounge and activity rooms became lively gathering spaces for cards, carpet bowling, crafts, and shared social hours over tea. Every program was powered by the warmth, laughter, and tireless energy of dedicated members and volunteers who gave their time to ensure the building felt like a welcoming second home.






25th Anniversary Event



2006-2016

This decade marked an important turning point in how the Centre defined its place in the neighborhood. As Cook Street Village continued to grow and welcome young families and newcomers, the board and membership recognized an opportunity to open their doors even wider.

In April 2010, the organization officially broadened its mandate beyond senior services to welcome community members of all ages and walks of life. Reflecting this inclusive new chapter, the name officially became the Cook Street Village Activity Centre.


      


While honoring its founding roots and preserving its foundational senior programs, the Centre gradually introduced broader community initiatives, intergenerational workshops, and collaborative seasonal celebrations. The building naturally evolved into a welcoming community living room where multiple generations crossed paths, shared conversations over tea, and felt an immediate sense of belonging.

 


2016 - 2026

The past decade tested the resilience of the Centre like never before, only to reveal just how unbreakable its community ties truly were. When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in the spring of 2020, in-person attendance dropped sharply and normal routines ceased. Navigating those uncertain days required courage, careful teamwork, and rapid adaptation against daunting financial and logistical odds.



2022-2023 Board


Front-desk interactions and limited services were managed through clear acrylic safety barriers, with staff and volunteers finding thoughtful ways to preserve genuine human warmth even behind masks and glass. Program routines shifted toward vital lifeline outreach, with the team placing hundreds of regular check-in calls to isolated members and coordinating grocery deliveries. The Centre also expanded its Food Share program, distributing fresh produce and pantry staples to seniors facing food insecurity.


Insert photo: Front desk reception with protective safety screens, capturing team dedication during COVID-19



Games during COVID





2020 Bike to Work Week celebration station and Orange Shirt Day


Rather than drifting apart, members bonded even closer together. As public health restrictions eased, that shared determination sparked a true revival.

The Centre collaborated closely with the City of Victoria and the Victoria Police Department on vital facility safety upgrades. Together, they completed a major ventilation improvement project and established an active Emergency Committee, preparing the facility to serve as a trusted civic refuge and warming shelter during neighborhood emergencies.

By 2026, the Centre has reemerged vibrant, thriving, and home to more than 400 active members. The weekly calendar beautifully harmonizes cherished traditions with fresh new offerings. Foundational activities from the early years, such as the Busy Hands group, cribbage, Tai Chi, and fitness classes, continue to draw devoted groups, while newer additions like yoga, supportive talking circles, and language classes welcome a wonderfully diverse cross-section of neighbors.


Insert photo: Busy Hands, Cribbage, and Tai Chi groups alongside Yoga and Talking Circles Insert photo: 2026 Board of Directors (with names) Insert photo: 2026 Staff Team (with names and roles) Insert photo: 50th Anniversary Celebration and active program collage