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Vacaville highlights expanding McBride active‑aging programs as membership grows
Summary
At its April 2 meeting, the Parks and Recreation Commission heard a presentation on McBride Community Center’s active‑aging offerings, including free services, popular day trips, and a digital literacy program that provides Chromebooks to qualifying participants. Program leaders said funding and instructor recruitment remain challenges.
Simi Matharu, the city’s active‑aging and special‑interest coordinator, told the Vacaville Parks and Recreation Commission on April 2 that McBride Community Center offers a mix of wellness, social and recreational programs for adults 50 and over and that demand for day trips and classes has grown.
Matharu said McBride runs a regular calendar of activities — including “sit and fit,” Soul Line Dance and ukulele — and provides free services such as tax preparation, grief support and congregate meals supplied by Innovative Health. “The McBride Community Center is a multi service center that offers recreation and educational programs, special events, and services focused on wellness, nutrition, and social needs to enhance the quality of life for active aging adults 50 years of age and older,” Matharu said.
Matharu said two classes now sponsored by Innovative Health (Soul Line Dance and Bingo Size) are free but will move to a small participant fee starting in September. She reported 107 McBride memberships this year, and outlined membership perks including discounts on trips, VIP seating and other benefits.
Day trips have proven popular, Matharu said, noting recurring sellouts and waitlists. Examples she described included a paired lunch and scenic walk in Bodega Bay, a tour and meal at a chocolate factory, and trips to Broadway shows in San Francisco. The center also operates a digital literacy program funded by the California Public Utilities Commission; qualifying participants who complete the course will receive a free Chromebook, Matharu said.
Commissioners asked whether McBride partners with assisted‑living or senior apartment providers. Matharu said staff use flyering and tabling at partner events and try to attend community activities to reach residents in congregate settings.
Commissioners also pressed on costs and space. Matharu confirmed the annual membership is $50 and that the center has not experienced significant space constraints for current programming. She acknowledged ongoing challenges with program funding and recruiting instructors but said staff use surveys and participant feedback to plan trips and classes.
The commission did not take formal action on the presentation. Matharu closed by highlighting upcoming events, including a senior prom scheduled for April 24.
