Seniors to Benefit from $200,000 in Community Recreational Grants

Seniors across Newfoundland and Labrador will have more opportunity to engage in physical and recreational activities through the Provincial Government’s investment of $200,000 in the Community Recreational Grants Program. The Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, was at the Aquaforte Community Hall today to announce $2,000 through the program to enhance a circuit training program for the Aquaforte Recreation Committee and Seniors Group.

“Recreation and physical activity are powerful contributors to healthy aging,” said Minister French. “Our government continues to make investments in recreational programs and services to maximize opportunities for seniors to be more physically active and socially engaged.”

The Seniors Community Recreation Grant Program is designed to help seniors’ groups, communities, and recreation committees provide programs and services focused specifically on increasing physical and leisure activity for seniors. The Aquaforte Recreation Committee and Seniors Group is just one of approximately 60 organizations that have received funding to date under the Seniors Community Recreation Grant Program for 2012-13. The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development and MHA for Ferryland, joined Minister French at the announcement.

“Our government recognizes the need to encourage communities to create physical and social activities specifically for seniors,” said Minister Hutchings. “I am very pleased to see investments like this in Aquaforte and throughout the province in an effort to enhance the overall health and well-being of our seniors.”

Budget 2012: People and Prosperity provides $8.6 million to support recreation and sport in the province. Since the launch of the Provincial Government’s recreation and sport strategy, Active, Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador (2007), more than $70 million has been committed to recreational and sport infrastructure, programming, and athlete development throughout the province.

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2013 01 09             1:15 p.m.