It all began in the spring of 1985, when a group of local cribbage players were searching for a place they could play cards and socialize. Little did they know that search would quickly lead to the establishment of a seniors' complex that, 15 years later, boasts a wealth of activity and fellowship for over 300 members.

The Wheatland Senior Centre, located at 888 First Ave. N.E., is a modern-looking, large and well-kept structure with attractive flower beds in the front and a large green lawn and plenty of parking in the back. Inside are several activity rooms for card games, snooker, dancing, exercise classes, crafts, bingo, shuffleboard, suppers, receptions, teas and more.

It was clear Weyburn needed such a facility after a list of 1,000 names in support of the idea - gathered after a request was made by City Council in order for them to approve the project - were easily obtained.

Finding a location proved to be a challenge for the original board members, but after dealing with opposing groups and individuals, the city offered the seniors the large lot on First Avenue. Construction was completed in 1987, and the grand opening of the Centre was held in 1988.

Over the years the membership - now being offered for $15 per year or $27 for two years to people 55 years of age or older - grew and grew, thanks to door-to-door and mass membership drives, the popularity of regular activities and special events that attracted attention to the centre.

Highlights included an old-time fiddling contest, which attracted spectators from across the prairies to listen to 29 competitors; antique displays and pioneer-style demonstrations; old-time dance instructional videos made at the Centre and distributed across Canada; large garage sale fund-raisers; monthly and holiday suppers; meetings on issues of importance to seniors; and most recently, the Saskatchewan Senior Fitness Association's 55 Plus Summer Games.

During the Games, which were held in Weyburn July 14-17 attracting 720 participants from around the province, the Wheatland Seniors Centre was the venue for shuffleboard, snooker and horseshoes. A number of volunteers from the Centre rolled up their sleeves and helped out in the kitchen, which ended up earning $1,200 for the Centre over the four days.

Financially, the Senior Centre is on track, thanks to careful money management and countless fund-raisers. Three years of running the community bingo netted the centre over $28,000, thanks to the efforts of volunteers working 12 people at a time. Fund-raisers like these helped to pay off the mortgage on the facility after just three years.

As a number of the regular users of the Wheatland Senior Centre can attest, the effort was well worth it.

Pearl Fox, an original board member, says the Centre is a source of pride for all the people who worked to start and maintain it, and who enjoy all it has to offer.

"We're so proud of it - it's just amazing what goes on here. There's so many friendships and such great camaraderie.

"We said right from the beginning this is going to help people to live longer and healthier, because it's about getting out of the house and meeting people and doing something," she says.

Pearl enjoys her morning exercise class the most, but also plays whist and cribbage and likes to help with tournaments. She is one of five people that split up the janitorial duties at the Centre, but she's quick to point out the work of others, such as cook Olive Curle, who "does a fabulous job, and has for many years done it for nothing," with help from Agnes Tumback and Joan Neiszner.

Pearl has seen many changes over more than a decade at the Centre, but one thing remains the same.

"I think the fellowship is the best part. You meet all kinds of people."

Lynell Husum says the Wheatland Seniors Centre has been a regular part of his life for the past decade, and he's all the better for it.

Aside from being a regular snooker and bank shuffleboard player, Lynell is at the Centre every day as a volunteer doing "whatever has to be done around here," and is a past-president, current vice-president and sits on the building committee. His wife Olive has been in charge of the cooking for the past six years.

"If it wasn't for this place I don't know what I'd do. It's been a second home, really," says Lynell. "We've made many friends in the time we've been here. If it hadn't been for this place I wouldn't have met so many people."

Verna Laird enjoys bridge and helping put on tournaments, but she gets the most out of her exercise group of five years.

"We're a small group that goes three times per week. I like getting out in the morning, getting fresh air and exercise first thing, and visiting and getting all the gossip," she says, laughing. "We've had some people in their 80s doing this. I think it keeps them moving with less pain."

Verna was very impressed with the competitors and organizers involved in the Summer Games, who proved that physical activity isn't solely the domain of the young.

She's also impressed with volunteers like Walter and Grace Martin, and Norbert Schultz, who kept and are keeping active by planting and caring for the many flowers around the Centre.

Eugene Selme is a good example of someone whose dedication to doing the things he loves to do has kept him young at heart.

At 90 years old, Eugene is still doing physically-demanding activities such as dancing and playing golf. He also enjoys shuffleboard and cards at the Centre, and is always up on the long list of activities taking place or coming up.

For Eugene, the fellowship is an important part of the Centre.

"It's a good place to come and meet people," he said.

Alice Meyer, who has been at the Wheatland Senior's Centre "from the beginning," has met a lot of friends throughout the years, and has seen many of those friends find their life partners.

"Some get married here. We've had five couples come in as singles and go out married," she says.

Alice likes to play shuffleboard and cards, and enjoys the crafts. She appreciates the friendship and fun created from a game of cards to working in the kitchen serving for suppers and other events.