Lac la Hache Old Age Pensioners Organization (O.A.P.O.) #176 members gathered at their Pioneer Centre last month to celebrate their 30th Anniversary.
They enjoyed a potluck lunch and anniversary cake with special guests Art Schoenknecht, Vera Sturmey and Henry Hall who are three of the charter members of the O.A.P.O., which was founded June 18, 1982.
While reminiscing, Sturmey says it was "colder than blazes in the winter" at their meetings held in the old Totlak Building.
There were old chairs, most with no backs except for the strips of wood nailed to them and some with cushions or a pile of newspapers to sit on, she adds.
"We met there but we wanted our own home, our own place."
The Catholic Church and the community hall were used briefly for meetings before moving into their own building on Clarke Avenue.
Jim Bann, who was president of the Lac la Hache Community Club at the time, was instrumental in providing the small community park property, which was located next to the Lac la Hache Food Mart, to build their centre. It was given to the O.A.P.O first as a 99-year lease, and then outright.
Sturmey says Bob Brown and his backhoe scooped the first shovel of dirt to create the foundation for the new building.
The Pioneer Centre was built partly of materials from the old Irly Bird Store that was located in 100 Mile House. The building was scheduled to be demolished and the owners decided to donate it to the O.A.P.O.
Members took the building down, nail-by-nail and board-by-board. A lot of the materials were used to build the new centre and the balance was sold off to purchase needed supplies.
Seniors with the help of many locals - both men and women, built the centre.
Materials came from various sources, and they received many donations from Lac la Hache and 100 Mile House.
Schoenknecht, who worked at Weldwood at the time, used his employee discount to purchase lifts of lumber from the mill.
Sturmey says she was always searching for grants she could get her hands on.
"It was completely built with no debt incurred."
From the outset, the group decided it would do this project debt free, no mortgage.
Even as they were holding their first meetings, they did not have their own phone in an effort to save money. Sturmey adds they would have to run to the store next door to use the pay phone. This became a safety concern, and after some debate, the group decided to have a phone installed.
Alex Fraser, then Socred MLA and highways minister, was instrumental in having their parking lot paved at the same time the school parking was done, says Sturmey.
"It was wonderful how so many people came together to help out."
School District 27 phoned Sturmey as it was replacing its old piano at Lac la Hache Elementary School and donated it to the O.A.P.O., with the stipulation it stays at the centre.
A lot of reminiscing was enjoyed about where this group began 30 years ago, and the wonderful facility they have and can gather in for many years to come.