The Hamlets at Westsyde is proud to announce the recent completion and grand opening of Westsyde Arcadia. This project has been an exercise in hard work and dedication on behalf of both the recreation team—and the residents—here at the Hamlets. In fact, the idea was originally put forward by a group of our young-adult residents.

Some Background

If that last sentence has you puzzled, you’re not alone: many people think that Westsyde is solely for seniors. However; Westsyde is also a long-term care and assisted living community; we have residents who range in age from 19 to 65. There are a variety of conditions that might necessitate assisted living for young adults, such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, mental health disorders, down syndrome, osteoporosis, epilepsy, scoliosis, fibromyalgia, stroke, and autism spectrum disorders. The Hamlets strives to be inclusive of everybody—which is why the idea for an arcade was so immediately popular!

The Initiative

Life with a disability is challenging at the best of times—and especially so in the midst of a pandemic. Shutdowns tend to affect this segment of the population particularly hard; interruption to services is most arduous on those who rely on them most. So, when the idea came forward in February to create an arcade room, it caught on like wildfire. Residents took an active hand in planning the project, as well as choosing the games and decor. Here are some of the features to be found in the brand new Westsyde Arcadia:

• Fresh, bright paint


• Arcade themed wall décor
  
  
  
  • Neon signs
  
  
  • Posters
  
  
  • Big sign with our chosen arcade name
  
  
  
  


• Coloured strip lighting


• Quiet computer space


• Jukebox


• Café
  
  
  
  • Popcorn machine
  
  
  • Water cooler
  
  
  • Old-style candy machine
  
  
  
  


• Accessible Games:
  
  
  
  • Industrial sized arcade games such as: Buck Hunter, Galaga, Tetris, Frogger, Street Fighter, Burger Time, racing games
  
  
  • Other games such as: Basketball toss, Wack-A-Mole, Pinball, Skee-Ball, magnetic dartboard, Claw machine
  
  
  • Table-top games such as: hockey, foosball, pool, poker mat (or a four-in-one version)
  
  
  • Table for playing cards and board games
  
  
  
  

The Follow-Through

This project has received an overwhelming amount of support from the community at large. An article was featured in the CBC, and Jenn (our resident arcade-organizer!) and Angie (the Building Services Manager) were interviewed by Shelley Joyce for her radio show, “Daybreak Kamloops.” In the end, our residents are thrilled with the opening of the new arcade area. Once the pandemic is over, we look forward to opening it up for the public to book time and visits as well.