Province Funds Community Groups, Municipalities to Support Northern Region Seniors

NOTE: A list of projects receiving grants in the Northern Region follows this release.

Seniors in Scotsburn, Pictou Co., will soon be teaching young people to play shuffleboard and "pickle ball" as part of a seniors' socialization and fitness project.

The project, by Scotsburn Recreation's 55+ Club, is one of 59 -- including nine in northern Nova Scotia -- to receive a portion of nearly $440,000 in funding being awarded to support seniors’ participation in communities across the province. The grants were announced today, Feb. 2, by Len Goucher, Minister of Seniors.

"These grants represent more than just funding for community-minded organizations," said Mr. Goucher. "These initiatives have been selected because they'll offer new opportunities for seniors, often by seniors, that are sustainable and which bring together different generations."

Forty-two non-profit organization projects will be supported through the Positive Aging Fund and 17 projects will be co-funded by municipalities through the Age-Friendly Communities Program.

The Positive Aging Fund helps non-profit community organizations create projects that advance Nova Scotia's Strategy for Positive Aging. The strategy is a long-term guide for planning for the province's aging population, with a focus on the health, well-being and community participation of seniors. Successful applicants can receive up to $10,000 for projects through the fund.

The Age-Friendly Communities Program helps municipalities create or adapt structures or services to be accessible, and inclusive of seniors, so they are able to lead healthy, active lives. Participating municipalities jointly fund the grants, which can also be up to $10,000 per project.

"At a time when there are more seniors than ever before, these municipalities are recognizing the value of making sure seniors have full enjoyment of all the community has to offer," said Mr. Goucher. "It's equally important that communities have the benefit of all that seniors have to offer them."

The Department of Seniors received more than 120 applications for funding under the grant programs. Applicants will have another opportunity to apply in the fall.

More information on the program and full lists of grant recipients are available at: www.gov.ns.ca/scs/agefriendlyComm.asp and www.gov.ns.ca/scs/positiveagingfund.asp .

Following is a list of projects in Northern Nova Scotia that will receive grants from the Department of Seniors:

Positive Aging

• Boisdale Volunteer Fire Department - $10,000. Seniors' monthly socials providing dinner and entertainment
• Clifton Community Seniors Association - $9,000. Inter-generational seniors activities, including community meals, equipment for games, exercise, educational talks and social gatherings and transportation to functions
• River John and Area Recreation Development Assoc. - $10,000. Time Out for Seniors, bi-monthly social gatherings with hot meals and entertainment
• Scotsburn Recreation Club - $1,578. Updating recreational equipment for physical activity for 55+ Club

Age-Friendly Communities

• Municipality of the County of Colchester - $5,000. Support for physical fitness programs and equipment for seniors
• Town of Amherst - $5,000. Age-friendly improvements to Amherst Rotary Centennial Park
• Town of Pictou - $5,000. Age-friendly improvements to Broidy Park
• Town of Trenton - $5,000. Age-friendly improvements to Trenton's Main Street
• Town of Truro Parks and Rec - $5,000. Support for age-friendly equipment for Victoria Park for seniors' activities