KANATA – The Kanata Seniors Centre will be investing in recreation thanks to provincial funding announced today (Nov. 1).

Today Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, MPP for Kanata-Carleton, announced $52,727 in Seniors Active Living Centre Program Funding for the Kanata Seniors Centre.

The Ontario government announced this week it is investing a total of $14.1 million to support more than 300 seniors active living centre programs in communities across the province.

“This funding will go a long way in helping seniors in Kanata stay active and socially connected, while also preventing social isolation,” said Dr. Fullerton. “Seniors active living centres provide a hub for seniors and their families to build positive connections and encourage physical activity.”

“The Kanata Seniors Centre is thrilled to receive the Seniors Active Living Centre Grant for 2019-2020 from the Province of Ontario,” recreation supervisor at the Kanata Seniors Centre Janet Baigent said. “These funds will help augment the services at our centre and satellite locations, bringing seniors in our community together.”

The new funding will help support the following programs: Mall Walking program at Hazeldean Mall, volunteer management of 165 senior volunteers delivering programs at the Kanata Seniors Centre and partnership services with the Kanata Seniors Council, such as tech services for seniors, games and health education seminars.

The Kanata Seniors Centre opened its doors on January 1, 2001, it now has 1,200 members and it averages 35,000 visits per year. Across Ontario, Seniors Active Living Centre programs support more than 100,000 seniors. The funding provides a variety of programming and activities to help seniors stay active, socially engaged, safe and healthy. This is especially important given about 30 per cent of Canadian seniors are at risk of becoming socially isolated.

In announcing the provincial funding, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho stated, “supporting our seniors today is about investing in all of our futures. This funding will have a direct and positive impact on seniors, giving them an opportunity to take part in programs and services that will help keep them active, socially connected, and healthy. And this helps seniors to live the quality lives they deserve.”