MOOSE JAW — Residents at Points West Living Moose Jaw were treated to a little horsepower and a lot of heart as the retirement community hosted its first-ever classic car show recently.
A total of 19 vintage vehicles lined the parking lot at 917 Bradley Street, offering residents the chance to stroll, swap stories, and admire the chrome-and-steel craftsmanship of yesteryear — all without leaving home.
“We were trying to plan (a car show) for a while, so I got in touch with Ron Brumwell, and he basically took it from there,” said Jen Montgomery, general manager at Points West. “He contacted the guys he needed to contact, and through word of mouth, we ended up with 19 vehicles.”
Montgomery said the show wasn’t part of the home’s regular activity schedule — just a special summertime treat meant to bring the community closer to an experience many residents once enjoyed.
“There are always car shows around the city, and most of our residents aren’t able to get to them, so I thought they would appreciate me bringing a show here,” she said. “And, you know, (this allowed them) to walk around with their friends out here, look at all the vehicles, and reminisce about their younger days.”
The event was held free of charge and open to Points West residents and guests. The vehicles, many well-loved and immaculately restored, arrived courtesy of local owners connected through Brumwell, a longtime car show participant.
“Oh, they loved it,” Montgomery said. “Some of them went down, walked through and looked at all the cars lined up in our parking lot. Some of them sat at the front and waited for them to parade out, and (the drivers) were honking their horns at them. They all thought that was great.”
The event sparked plenty of post-show chatter among residents — and no shortage of gratitude from those who appreciated the fresh air, fun, and memories old and new.
“The (residents) all thanked me for doing the show and always planning fun things for them,” Montgomery said. “And that’s the goal, right? That’s what we’re trying to do.”
While the show wasn’t tied to any regularly scheduled program, Montgomery noted that it aligns with the home’s philosophy of keeping life lively for residents.
“Variety and spontaneity — including unpredictable happenings and interactions — is the antidote to boredom,” she explained.
With the success of this year’s debut event, Montgomery is already shifting gears toward next year’s show — and hoping to bring in even more vehicles and maybe even a few frozen treats.
Points West Living Moose Jaw is located at 917 Bradley Street and can be reached at 306-693-3777. For more information, visit PointsWestLivingSask.ca.
