Two seniors centres in Pickering to benefit from $100,000-plus in provincial funding

It’s not Christmas but a pair of Seniors Active Living Centres in Pickering unwrapped their funding gifts from Queen’s Park today, with each deal valued at more than $50,000.

Seniors and Accessibility Minister Raymond Cho, along with Ontario Finance Minister and Pickering-Uxbridge MPP Peter Bethlenfalvy were in the city Friday morning to announce the annual funding for Seniors Active Living Centres in Pickering and funding for the recipient of the Seniors Community Grant in Durham Region.

This year, the Seniors Active Living Centres in Pickering are receiving $51,438 at both the George Ashe Public Library & Community Centre and the East Shore Community Centre for a total amount of $102,876.

These community hubs bring older adults aged 50 and over together and provides opportunities to participate in classes and activities, as well as other resources to support independent, healthy living.

“It is through meaningful partnerships and collaborative efforts such as this that allow us to continue meeting the diverse needs of Pickering’s Adults 55 plus population and ensure that we have the programs, services, and experiences to support an engaged and connected community,” said Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe, who was also on hand for the announcement and thanked the Province for making the “critical investment” in the lives of seniors in Pickering.

Across Ontario there is a network of almost 300 Seniors Active Living Centre programs supported by the provincial investments. Seniors Active Living Centre programs offer a wide variety of activities which can include fitness, healthy lifestyle and wellness classes, recreation, and social activities, and learning opportunities such as financial management, elder abuse prevention, and volunteering.

“Many seniors need help to connect with their community and to stay fit, healthy, and active,’’ said Bethlenfalvy. “By investing in the Seniors Active Living Centre here in Pickering, we will be helping more older adults in the community get the programs and services they need to live healthy, independent lives.”

Ontario is investing up to $6 million in 2023 in more than 280 Seniors Community Grant projects across the province that help local groups and organizations empower seniors to be active and connected to family and friends in their community – from Tai Chi lessons, lawn bowling and other physical activities, to arts and music appreciation, to virtual speakers’ series, day trips, and more.

Locally, the provincial government has funded Seniors Community Grants in Durham Region, including providing $21,350 to the Durham Tamil Association.