New active seniors centre in Ontario city awarded $50,000 for programming costs

The Ontario government has awarded $50,000 for programming and operating costs for the new Claremont Seniors Active Living Centre in the Dr. Nelson F. Tomlinson Community Centre in north Pickering.

Seniors and Accessibility Minister Raymond Cho, Ontario Finance Minister (and Pickering-Uxbridge MPP) Peter Bethlenfalvy and Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe were on hand for the announcement, with the new centre one of 100 new Seniors Active Living Centre programs opening across the province this year to help improve the quality of life for seniors.

“The new Claremont site will be a great addition for our seniors and Pickering overall,” said Bethlenfalvy. “It will offer seniors from the entire north Pickering area the opportunity to stay active and keep connected with others in the community.”

Senior Active Living Centres keep seniors fit, active, healthy and socially connected in their communities and close to their homes, noted Cho.

“We are delighted to expand activities and services to more seniors in Claremont,” he said. “This program will help older adults of all abilities to thrive in their homes and communities.”

SALC programs offer seniors and older adults learning opportunities such as financial management and elder abuse prevention and a variety of recreational and social activities including fitness, healthy lifestyle and wellness classes.

The money will be used in Claremont to enhance some existing programs, purchase a television to provide multi-media options and offer recreational options such as pickleball and bingo.

“The City of Pickering is proud to partner with the province in expanding opportunities for older adults through this new Seniors Active Living Centre,” said Mayor Kevin Ashe. “This investment reflects our shared commitment to keeping seniors fit, active, healthy, and socially connected in their communities. It also supports our city’s broader goal of fostering a community that is safe, healthy, accessible, equitable, diverse, and inclusive.”

“With three provincially funded Seniors Active Living Centres now serving Pickering residents, we are ensuring that older adults have more opportunities than ever to stay engaged and connected.”

Changes to the Seniors Active Living Centres Act last year allowing more types of organizations to provide the 20 per cent contribution requirement towards SALC programs’ operating costs. The programs can now be operated by municipalities, non-profit corporations, registered charities, Indigenous groups, Legions, Lions Clubs and recreational clubs.

The province also bumped up funding for the new centres by $17 million over three years last fall to support up to 100 new Seniors Active Living Centres.

SALC programs can request up to $55,000 for maintenance and operating costs, an increase from the previous maximum of $50,000 in 2024 and up from $42,700 in base funding from 2023.