If Collingwood needs confirmation that it is home to a very active senior population, it need look no further than its Probus clubs.
There are 14 in the Georgian Triangle, many of which have waiting lists of people wishing to join. Canada is home to a total of about 250 Probus clubs.
“We’re a retirement community,” explains Lorie Ring, president of Probus By the Bay. “We’re ripe for it.”
The nonprofit clubs offer fellowship, fun and connection for semi-retired and retired people. Each club is different, offering a varied list of activities all presented by volunteer members.
Ring’s club, for instance, is just for women. Probus By the Bay was launched 27 years ago, prior to the organization’s decision to make all its clubs co-ed.
Many seniors, adds Ring, are members of two clubs. She and her husband, for instance, are also members of 4Seasons Probus.
Probus clubs, which are centered around the idea of seniors getting together and sharing activities, have a strong foundation rooted in the Rotary movement. The logo, a familiar wheel symbol, reflects the club’s international origins.
Probus By the Bay blends social, educational and recreational events through its meetings nine times per year and other related gatherings.
With a membership capped at 300, the club maintains a tight-knit, yet constantly evolving, group. Each year, about 25 people leave, creating space for newcomers. Membership costs are relatively affordable, at around $50 per year, making it an accessible option for many in the community.
A key feature of the club is its diverse activities, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Educational events are a highlight, with a guest speaker at each monthly meeting, providing members with opportunities to learn new things.
Julie Reed moved to the area in 2018 and now serves as a vice president of another local club, 4Seasons Probus.
“The number of retirees choosing Collingwood or the area… is what’s generating demand for Probus,” she says. “When people relocate… you’re also in a position where you want to re-establish a group of friends and peers that have similar interests.
“It’s the time in your life when you have more time and you want to be active.”
She also refers to studies showing that having a social network is an important aspect of an individual’s health, factoring in happiness.
The Collingwood-area clubs draw from the wider Georgian Triangle area, including the Blue Mountains and Wasaga Beach, where skiing is popular.
4Seasons Probus is among the youngest, having started in 2017 with fewer than 100 members. It quickly grew and the membership is now capped at 300. This year there were four people on the waiting list.
Reed figures there is an annual turnover of 10 to 15 per cent and the club takes on new members every November. The $40 annual dues cover the rental space and costs of running the club, such as maintaining the website. If there is a cost associated with an activity, the members are obliged to pay their own way.
“You’re going to learn something every time you come,” says Ring, of Probus By the Bay.
For those with a passion for reading, the club’s book clubs offer another way to get involved.
The club offers opportunities like cycling and hiking groups for those with more active interests.
Culinary enthusiasts also find their place within the club. Monthly “favorite things” dinners, where members are assigned to host at their homes with a dish to share, have proven to be popular.
In addition to regular meetings and special interest groups, the Probus club arranges fun trips and events, such as a planned trip to Disney’s The Lion King in July and a sleigh ride this past February.
While Probus clubs are open to all nearly retired people in the region, there is a focus on individuals who live in the local area and, ideally, are already retired.
“This is all volunteer-driven. We need people who have the time and energy to help out with all the things we do. It’s a community effort, and it works,” says Ring, whose own efforts are supported by a management team of 18 members who divide the tasks and portfolios, resulting in a sense of shared responsibility among the leadership.
New members are always welcome, space permitting of course. And while a sponsor isn’t necessary, it’s encouraged. For those new to the group, the club’s welcoming atmosphere and social activities—such as bridge or Mahjong—offer an easy entry point to meeting people and getting involved.