MPP John Jordan announces new Seniors Active Living Centres in Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston
New Seniors Active Living Centres keep seniors fit, active and socially connected
January 22, 2025
John Jordan, MPP for Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston announced funding for two brand new Seniors Active Living Centres, in Lanark Village and Montague Township.
They are two of the up to 100 new SALC programs opening across the province this year to help improve seniors’ quality of life and build community engagement.
“These new programs will be a great addition for our seniors,” said MPP Jordan. “They will offer seniors in north Lanark and Montague the opportunity to stay fit, active, healthy and socially connected through various activities. My sincere thanks to Minister Raymond Cho for his continued support of these vital programs and services for our seniors in Lanark-Frontenac- Kingston.”
Seniors Active Living Centres keep our seniors fit, active, healthy, socially connected, in their communities and close to their homes.
“We are delighted to expand activities and services to more seniors in Lanark and Montague Township,” said, Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “This program will help older adults of all abilities to thrive in their homes and communities.”
SALC programs offer seniors and older adults learning opportunities such as financial management and elder abuse prevention and a variety of recreational and social activities including fitness, healthy lifestyle and wellness classes that are important supports in communities.
“The Township of Montague is excited to be chosen for a Senior Active Living Grant,” said Allison Vereyken, Administrator/Treasurer of the Township of Montague.” These funds will allow the Township in collaboration with the Montague and District Seniors Club to grow the programs offered, social outings/events, art/craft classes, monthly dinners, etc. from what was developed through the Senior Community Grant funds for the past two (2) years. We are very appreciative to Mr. Jordan and the Province of Ontario for supporting these initiatives and again bringing funding to our local area that will vastly benefit the Senior population in our area and surrounding areas. We are already planning some new and exciting offerings to the community for the 2025/2026 year!”
The government remains committed to better supporting Ontario’s aging population and the people who care for them by improving and expanding supports for seniors no matter where they live.
Sarah Sark, CEO of ConnectWell Community Health said,“ We are thrilled to be receiving the designation and funding as a Seniors Active Living Centre to support older adults and seniors in north Lanark in living active, healthy and engaged lives. ConnectWell’s Centre for Active and Engaged Seniors will expand on the work we are already doing in our local communities, with our partners and with area seniors to ensure that older adults have many different ways to get engaged in life-enhancing, group-based activities close to home.”
Program Coordinator, Kara Symbolic noted: “We know that seniors living in rural communities are at risk of becoming physically and socially isolated, and that this can lead to negative health impacts. Bringing area seniors together for fun, engaging and stimulating opportunities such as physical activity programs geared to ability, cooking and dining groups, artistic and creative expression, volunteer engagement, and educational workshops is the preventative against loneliness, isolation, and disengagement. We’re very pleased and excited about offering more to the community through our Centre for Active and Engaged Seniors.”
QUICK FACTS
- On June 1, 2024, changes to the Seniors Active Living Centres Act, 2017 came into effect allowing more types of organizations to provide the 20 per cent contribution requirement towards SALC programs’ operating costs. Now SALC programs can be operated by municipalities, non-profit corporations, registered charities, Indigenous groups, Legions, Lions Clubs and recreational clubs.
- In the Fall Economic Statement of 2024, a $17 million increase in funding over three years was approved to support up to 100 new Seniors Active Living Centres.
- For 2025-26, SALC programs will be able to request up to $55,000 for maintenance and operating costs, an increase from the previous maximum of $50,000 in 2024 and up from $42,700 in base funding from 2023
MEDIA CONTACTS
MPP John Jordan, LFK
www.johnjordanmpp.ca
john.jordan@pc.ola.org
613-284-1630
Facebook: John Jordan, MPP Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston
X: @johnjordan_lfk