The Community ACCESS-ability Program on the South Shore

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--The Community ACCESS-ability Program on the South Shore

The following is a feature story from Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations on grants provided through the Community ACCESS-ability program to community groups on the South Shore.

Seniors and people with disabilities on the South Shore are participating in more community activities because of funding from Nova Scotia's Community ACCESS-ability program.

The Sable River Fire Hall in Sable River, Shelburne Co., received a grant to install a wheelchair-accessible ramp and doorway.

"A lot of people wanted to come out to the events, but couldn't because of the lack of accessibility," said Roger Ross, treasurer of the Sable River Volunteer Fire Department. "There are quite a few people coming to the hall who couldn't get in before."

The fire hall, which is used for Sunday school, community meetings and social functions like cribbage and bingo, can be used for a wider variety of activities now that the renovations are done.

"The hall couldn't be used for things like voting because some people couldn't climb the stairs," said Mr. Ross. "We've had a lot of good comments so far about the renovations. Many elderly people in the community really appreciate what we're doing."

Community ACCESS-ability was implemented to improve access to community facilities for seniors and people with disabilities. The program provides financial assistance to non-profit groups and municipalities for renovations, installations or equipment to ensure that buildings are accessible to all Nova Scotians.

The Barss Corner Recreation Hall in Lunenburg County received funding to replace a 20-year-old wooden ramp.

"There weren't any regulations in place when the original ramp was built," said Arthur Langille of the Barss Corner Recreation Society. "There are people in the community who need to use the ramp. The new one will make it much easier to get into the building."

Over the years, the facility has been a great meeting place for people in the community. A variety of activities take place at the hall, including fitness programs, basketball, birthday parties, family get-togethers and programs for youth and seniors.

Under the ACCESS-ability program, the provincial government gives grants of up to two-thirds of the cost of renovations, installations and equipment. Local organizations are responsible for raising the remainder of the cost.

The Community ACCESS-ability program has been operating since May 2000. This is the third year of the four-year $1.2-million program, and all funding for this fiscal year has been committed. To date, the program has supported 139 projects, worth about $900,000, of which a third was distributed in 2002. The maximum grant available for individual projects is $10,000.

"We want to help seniors and people with disabilities enjoy equal access to places that are the heart and soul of their communities," said Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. "These are places where local people plan, participate and celebrate as a community."

Information and applications are available from Access Nova Scotia centres, the Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/ or by calling toll-free 1-800- 670-4357.

NOTE: The following is a list of projects approved under the Community ACCESS-ability program for the South Shore area since the program began in 2000.

Lunenburg County

• Barss Corner Recreation Hall, Barss Corner: $799
• Lordly Museum and Old Municipal Office, Chester: $10,000
• New Germany Medical Centre, New Germany: $3,445
• Oakhill and District Community Fire Hall, Bridgewater: $1,635
• Riverport District Fire Protection Commission, Riverport: $7,651
• Simpson's Corner Community Hall, New Germany: $2,466
• St. Barnabas Church/Hall, Lunenburg: $1,897
• Trinity United Church/Hall, Lunenburg: $10,000
• Western Shore and Area Community Hall, Western Shore: $5,322
• Western Shore and District Fire Hall, Western Shore: $10,000

Region of Queens Municipality

• Municipal Administration Building, Liverpool: $8,542
• Rossignol Cultural Centre, Liverpool: $7,700
• Trinity Anglican Church Hall, Liverpool: $9,795

Shelburne County

• Barrington Municipal Arena, Barrington: $1,312
• Grace Baptist Church Hall, Shelburne: $6,660
• Holy Cross Anglican Church Hall, Lockeport: $2,860
• Lillian Benham Library, Lockeport: $999
• McKay Memorial Library, Shelburne: $3,544
• Sable River Fire Hall, Sable River: $7,792