Several projects for seniors in the Peace Region will benefit from $151,368 in federal funding.
The grants come from the New Horizons for Seniors Program, and will be divvied up amongst eight different projects.
Peace River MP Chris Warkentin says it will help improve quality of life for seniors and in turn help to foster better overall health.
“Providing this funding is really a benefit in the long term because it saves a significant amount of money down the road if we can have active seniors in our communities, if we have volunteer opportunities for seniors. All of those things are really important in improving quality of life.”
The New Horizons for Seniors Program allows eligible organizations to receive up to $25,000 to fund projects that are led or inspired by seniors.
Warkentin says as the baby boomer generation ages services provided by these organizations are becoming more valuable.
“What we are finding is that in some smaller communities where senior organizations haven’t been as active as they were at one point, we are really seeing the rebirth of those organizations. These dollars do go a long ways in facilitating that rebirth.”
Here in Grande Prairie the Golden Age Centre is getting $7,463 for program expansion and exercise equipment, the Metis Local 1990 is receiving $24,990 for programs that benefit elders, and the ACFA régionale de Grande Prairie will get $22,640 to facilitate a series on preparing for retirement.
In Peace River the NHSP has provided $22,000 for repairs to the Royal Canadian Legion, $22,509 for upgrades to the Senior Citizens Club, and $24,766 for a seniors radio show through the ACFA régionale de Rivière-la-Paix.