ARNPRIOR – The Greater Arnprior Seniors Council (GASC) can confirm Arnprior is a senior destination.

There is a buzz in Arnprior –A senior buzz.  Local seniors are more active and connected to their community than ever before because of the rollout of the Arnprior Age-Friendly Community Action Plan developed in 2016.  In short, Arnprior has become a destination for seniors.

 As part of this plan, the GASC was launched. The GASC mandate is to create an open, respectful and inclusive community that respects and engages seniors. 

“The GASC is dedicated to making the greater Arnprior area a destination for seniors,” GASC chair Darrel O’Shaughnessy said. “It accomplishes this by advocating for enhanced facilities and infrastructure, senior-focused services and supports, connecting various seniors’ groups and organizations, and helping foster positive engagement and active lifestyles in the community.”

With 20 members, the GASC team includes older adult citizens, community-minded representatives from Town of Arnprior, Township of McNab/Braeside, Arnprior Regional Health and the Family Health Team, Arnprior District High School youth, Arnprior-Braeside-McNab Seniors at Home Program, Island View,  Hospice Renfrew and the Dementia Society.

The GASC has been busy since 2016. Some of the council’s accomplishments include:

• A five-year plan and informational website: visit ca
• Active membership in the Grove Redevelopment Campaign, successfully helping secure funding to increase the number of long-term care bed licences at the Grove Nursing Home from 60 to 96. The $27 million grant is the largest to be received by our Ontario Region and construction begins this month.
• Prime movers in the creation of Arnprior’s Seniors Active Living Centre (SALC).  Established in October 2018, the SALC now has 460 paid members.
• New and exciting social, recreational and educational opportunities for seniors including computer literacy, stick-curling, pickle ball, music jam sessions, line dancing, carpet bowling, dragon boating, expressive dance, a boxing program in partnership with our local Parkinson Society, and many more.
• Canada’s 22nd Men’s Shed, under the SALC banner and in partnership with Arnprior Regional Health (ARH), helps senior men remain productive, healthy, active and engaged. Opened in February 2019, the Arnprior-McNab/Braeside Men’s Shed now has 22 members.
• A GASC subcommittee to explore affordable seniors housing initiatives.
• Along with ARH, part of the team developing our region’s Ontario Health Team.

“That GASC continues to find new ways to make the Greater Arnprior Area the destination for seniors,” said Darrel. “It continues to nurture strong, influential, and engaged community partnerships and strategic alliances, definite contributions to our success.”  The GASC is looking for new older adult members to participate on the Executive.

 For more information on the GASC and how to get involved, visit the GASC website: www.agefriendlyarnprior.ca/ and/or contact: Robin Paquette, Email: GAseniorcouncil@gmail.com, Telephone: 613-623-4231 ext. 1827.