By Michael Bennett
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Ridgetown Independent
Seniors’ Month proved to be very beneficial to the Ridgetown and Area Adult Activity Centre.
The Centre received a pair of grants from the Ontario government totalling $72,192 in June.
The province announced recently that the Adult Activity Centre would be receiving $22,192 from the Seniors Community Grant Program.
One week earlier, the centre learned it was receiving $50,000 from the province for running programs through Seniors Active Living Centres.
The provincial funding comes on the heels of receiving a $23,710 grant from the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program in May.
The Seniors Community Grant Program is a $6-million investment from the provincial government to support 282 community projects that help seniors and older adults stay fit, active, healthy and socially connected close to home.
Brian Doidge, President of the Adult Activity Centre, said the funding will cover additional staffing and expand fitness and wellness training programs.
“It is a grant to let us research and develop programming that allows us to extend into weekends and evenings,” Doidge said. “And it helps for more physical fitness courses, which will require some contract help as well.”
Doidge said the centre had to apply for this funding and appreciates getting accepted.
The Sydenham Curling Club in Wallaceburg was the only other Chatham-Kent facility to receive funding. Their $25,000 will be used to introduce pickleball, cards, and crokinole.
A maximum of $25,000 was made available to each recipient. This Ontario government funding follows the $15 million made available to support all current Seniors Active Living Centres programs across the province. The funding is almost 10 percent more than last year, resulting in a majority of SALCs receiving an increase from $42,700 to up to $50,000.
The Ridgetown and Area Adult Activity Centre was one of three facilities in Chatham-Kent that received the maximum funding.
The Blenheim Senior Centre and the Active Lifestyle Centre in Chatham also received $50,000.
The Adult Activity Centre continues to rebound from a financial crisis in the spring of 2023. Over 100 new members have pushed membership near the 475 mark in its new Erie St. S. home. The centre offers over 70 programs for area residents aged 30 and older.
