New Seniors Active Living Centre coming to Sandford

by Edward White, Office of Peter Bethlenfalvy MPP, Pickering-Uxbridge

UXBRIDGE: On Friday, October 2nd, MPP Bethlenfalvy and Minister Raymond Cho announced a new Seniors Active Living Centre, located in the Sandford Community Centre. This new Seniors Active Living Centre received $41,250 in annual funding.

“This $41,233 investment in the Sandford Seniors Active Living Centre will help ensure local seniors have opportunities to stay active, build meaningful social connections and remain engaged in community life,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Member of Provincial Parliament for Pickering-Uxbridge. “Our government is proud to support programs which help older adults in Uxbridge maintain their independence and age well close to home”

This year, Ontario is investing a record amount of close to $23 million to support 416 Seniors Active Living Centre (SALCs) programs across the province, including 97 new ones.

“Senior Active Living Centres keep our seniors, fit, active, healthy, socially connected, close to their homes and in their communities,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “Thanks to Premier Ford’s leadership, our government is making the largest investment in Seniors Active Living Centre programs in Ontario’s history. This will help even more seniors, no matter where they live, including those in city, rural, remote and northern communities, live more healthy, happy and independent lives.”

“This funding is pivotal for seniors in our community, particularly for those living in our rural areas,” said Mayor Dave Barton. “As we age, it can become far too easy to feel isolated and less active, especially when living outside the urban area. This new facility will help change that. The new Ux55+ Senior Active Living Centre will provide a welcoming place for our 55-plus population to stay connected, active, and engaged in our community. Thank you to Minister Cho and MPP Peter Bethlenfalvy for supporting our seniors and making this important funding possible. Their support will help create meaningful programs and opportunities which bring people together and enhance the quality of life for seniors in our community.”

This year, we are also proudly celebrating the 60th anniversary of the first six Elderly Persons’ Centres—now known as Seniors Active Living Centre programs—established under the Elderly Persons’ Centres Act, 1966.

That’s six decades of expanding access to programs which help more seniors stay active, healthy, and socially connected, ultimately improving their overall well-being.