Media Contacts

Ministry of Health Communications

250 952-1887 (media line)

Backgrounders

2018 age-friendly community planning and project grant recipients

Ladysmith

Project: Age-friendly Ladysmith: walkability/accessibility

Amount: $15,000

Details: This project recognizes the challenging landscape of Ladysmith, the limited transportation and transit services, and the fact that the percentage of the population that is 65 and older is higher than the B.C. average. Proposed activities include a scooter map to identify the safest routes to access key public locations, such as health and retail services, as well as the installation of a bench and railings by the drugstore. Businesses will also complete an age-friendly assessment.

Metchosin

Project: Age-friendly engagement project

Amount: $14,750

Details: Increasing communication and awareness of emergency preparedness and assistance for Metchosin’s 2,000 older adults is the main focus of this project. Enhancing the district’s emergency reception centre/warming centre with accessible options will ensure that individual needs of the community’s seniors are met during emergency situations. The project builds on Metchosin’s 2012 recognition as an age-friendly community.

Capital Regional District

Project: Pender Island community bus

Amount: $15,000

Details: A recent study on the quality of life of seniors on Pender Island recommended improving public transit for older adults who no longer can, or wish to, drive. This project, undertaken by Moving Around Pender, will engage seniors and seniors’ organizations to identify how a reliable community bus service can promote greater participation by seniors in community activities; support seniors to access local goods and services; and facilitate seniors aging in place on the island.

Saanich

Project: Cedar Hill Social Club

Amount: $14,992

Details: A new, vibrant social club will combine two existing clubs, one of which was experiencing diminishing membership, and neither was financially sustainable. It will provide an opportunity for many to enjoy the benefits of expanded social, cultural and physical activity programs. The Cedar Hill Social Club will be located within a recreation centre, and the district hopes to grow the membership in order for it to become self-sustaining. The project builds on Saanich’s 2012 recognition as an age-friendly community.