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.
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Media contacts:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca |
Tansy Mundon
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 685-2646
tansymundon@gov.nl.ca |
2009 12 14
10:45 a.m.