Ceremony marks completion of senior activity center

A ceremony marking the completion of an activity center for senior citizens was held on August 9 in Lijiang, Yunnan province, and a third senior fitness gathering was also launched the same day.

The vice mayor of Lijiang, Yang Jingquan, and the heads of Lijiang Municipal Bureau of Sports and the Bureau of Civil Affairs, took part in the ceremony.

Yang said that the activity center will play an important role in helping to enrich the cultural and spiritual life of the elderly, and that it would also help them take care of their health and add joy in their everyday lives.

The chairman of the Lijiang sports association for the elderly, Yang Guoqing, conveyed the gratitude of senior citizens for the concern and support of the community. He also said he hopes that the elderly would aim to exercise every day and to enjoy their lives.

The activity center, which was started in March 2011 with a total investment of 21 million yuan ($ 3.43 million), was completed at the end of 2012, and several artistic groups performed at the ceremony marking the completion.

The center, covering an area of 18.1 mu (1.21 hectares), includes a dance room, fitness center, chess room, table tennis room and a reading room.

The third senior fitness gathering, on August 9 and 10, included several events concerning gate ball, bocce, table tennis, chess, bridge and fishing.

Edited by Niva Whyman