MacKay Centre celebrates 45 years of programming and services for local seniors in Goderich
- Kate Smith
- Sep 18
- 3 min read
The MacKay Centre recently celebrated 45 years of exceptional community programming for seniors in Goderich and surrounding areas.
To celebrate this milestone, members of the MacKay Centre, its volunteers, and dignitaries gathered on September 6 to mark the occasion with a barbecue.
Lisa Thompson, MPP of Huron Bruce, Ben Lobb, MP and Liz Petrie, Councillor for the Town of Goderich attended the gathering and celebrated the MacKay Centre for being a place that brings people together.
“You have been the heart of so many amazing programs,” MPP Thompson said at the gathering.
“I talk to people about the relevance of and the value the MacKay Centre brings to all of you…the things you realized together as a community right here, is now being replicated in communities throughout Huron and Bruce.”
The MacKay Centre for Seniors may be celebrating 45 years of programming, but the building has offered a sense of community for nearly 100 years.
In 1925 Robert MacKay donated $12,000 to the Town of Goderich to construct a community hall. In October 1926 the downstairs of MacKay Hall was laid, and the building officially opened on February 2, 1927.
Over the years, the hall has been used by many community groups including The Women’s Institute, and Goderich Little Theatre.
During the war years the IODE offered meals and organized dances for soldiers stationed at the air force base in Port Albert.
According to the hall’s history on the MacKay Centre’s website, in 1977, representatives of Health and Welfare Canada, along with town council members, toured the town in search of a building suitable for a seniors’ centre.
MacKay Hall was decided as an ideal location and officially opened in October 1980 at The MacKay Centre for Seniors.
MP Ben Lobb spoke on how great senior programming is, as his own parents are approaching their 80s and use senior programming to be social and active.
“The definition of a senior is relative. We all know it’s what is in your heart and in your mind,” expressed MP Lobb.
“There is so much to do, and we all agree – to be able to live and retire in an area like Huron and Bruce counties, it’s very special. With Goderich, it kind of has it all.”
As a central hub for seniors in the Goderich and surrounding areas, there are over 400 members who are provided with a variety of programs throughout the year because of hard work done by the board, volunteers and Stephanie Hardwick, Executive Director.
“Congratulations on your 45th. This building brings in people every single day, and that takes a tremendous amount of work by Stephanie (Hardwick) and volunteers,” Councillor Petrie remarked.
“Without all of you, 45 years of MacKay providing excellent programs for seniors would not happen.”
Some of the centre’s most popular programs include fitness classes, tai chi, art club, choir, yoga, community dining program, music, iPad lessons, card games and special events.
Nearly 100 years later, MacKay Hall still stands serving this community, especially seniors, making full use of the building.
In preparing to celebrate this milestone at the MacKay Centre, Councillor Petrie explained that she started thinking of a quote by Mahatma Gandhi in which he said - the measure of society is how well it treats its elderly.
“It’s very evident that the community of Goderich and the community you built here does treat our elderly with the utmost kindness and respect,” added Petrie.
For more information on the MacKay Centre for Seniors visit https://mackaycentreforseniors.com
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