Indoor games at new centre

A new community recreation centre opened its doors in Warkworth last Saturday, August 16, with the aim of providing activities and companionship for adults and seniors.

The Baskets Plus Recreational Centre will run from Monday to Saturday at the Rodney Masonic Lodge hall, above the Westpac Bank in Baxter Street, and is the brainchild of health support worker Jo Kwagga.

“The aim is to help people who are isolated and lonely, or people who want to wind down, people who are stressed,” she says.

The centre will offer a variety of indoor activities and board games, including snooker, table tennis, piano music, darts, puzzles, card games, chess, dominoes, Monopoly, word games and foosball.

Kwagga says indoor games and activities are great for anyone’s wellbeing and produce benefits ranging from better sleep quality and social connection to improved motor skills and prevention of anxiety or boredom.

“Playing indoors provides a convenient and enjoyable experience all year round,” she says. “Participating in these activities creates a sense of belonging and contributes to building stronger communities.”

She says she wants to provide a place people can depend on that is open daily to get people out of their homes and socialising.

Entry fees will be around $25 per day (11am to 4pm), or $15 per hour, to cover the cost of hiring the hall and staff to make and serve free hot drinks and snacks, though Kwagga says funding help will available for people who need it.

Info: Contact Jo Kwagga on 021 030 5632.