Work has begun to upgrade and expand Kent Street Activity Centre's kitchen.

The Kent Street Seniors Society has been fundraising for the kitchen improvements for a number of years through bake sales, plant sales and other events.

Katsumi Sugita, a member of the Kent Street Activity Centre, bequeathed $59,074.40 to the City of White Rock for the purpose of upgrading the centre.

With that, the City of White Rock helped to round out the fund in order to make the renovation happen.

"The Kent Street Activity Centre is a hub of social activity for older adults in White Rock and South Surrey, providing opportunities for continued learning, health and fitness and social interaction," said Mayor Wayne Baldwin.

"A key element of the centre's success is the kitchen, which is a critical part of social interaction in the centre. An effective kitchen operation enhances the ability of the centre to provide an enjoyable experience for its members."

The expansion and upgrade will include a commercial-grade dishwasher, new freezer, fan over the stove, sound-absorbing wall and a slight increase in size. The project is expected to cost about $157,000 altogether and be finished by Sept. 1, according to the city.

The coffee shop, run mostly by volunteers, provides affordable, nutritious meals to seniors. An expansion and upgrade is needed to accommodate both the growing number of volunteers and seniors who lunch there.

twitter @carolyncooke1

ccooke@thenownewspaper.com