Tourism, Culture and Recreation
Health and Community Services
December 14, 2009

Applications for Seniors� Recreation Grants Available

Applications are now available for the 2009-10 Seniors� Community Recreation Program, a new grant program, announced in Budget 2009, that looks to assist recreation committees/commissions and municipal councils in providing programs and services designed to increase physical activity amongst the province�s senior population.

�The introduction of this $200,000 program is consistent with the goals outlined in the province�s recreation and sports strategy, Active, Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador,� said the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. �It is designed to provide more opportunities for our senior citizens to access recreation programming, and to lead more active lifestyles.�

The deadline for receipt of applications is January 22, 2010.

Minister French noted that changing demographics indicate that by the year 2017, half of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will be over 50.

�Current sport and recreation programs and facilities do not always focus on the specific needs of older adults and seniors,� said Minister French. �It is incumbent on us to meet the increasing demands for recreation programming for this segment of our society, both today, and into the future.�

The program is to be delivered in collaboration with the Department of Health and Community Services, as part of its Healthy Aging Policy Framework.

"As Minister Responsible for Seniors and Aging, I am pleased that the new Seniors� Recreation Grant Program will provide new opportunities for our seniors to participate in recreational activity,� said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services. �This new program is consistent with our commitment to promote healthy aging, as demonstrated in our Healthy Aging Policy Framework.�

Under the Seniors� Recreation Grants Program, successful applicants will receive up to $5,000 to assist in the delivery of new, or enhanced, recreational programs and services that demonstrate increased physical and social/leisure activity. Details on the criteria for the program can be viewed at: Seniors' Recreation Grants Program � www.tcr.gov.nl.ca/tcr/formsandApplications/

Since the introduction of Active, Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador in 2007, the Provincial Government has invested more than $13.2 million in new funding for recreational and sport infrastructure and programming.

- 30 -

Media contacts:

2009 12 14                                    10:45 a.m.