On Friday morning, the parking lot of the Campbell’s Bay RA hall was filled with seniors for a barbecue lunch to celebrate the unveiling of the town’s seniors activity schedule.
The project is funded by the federal government’s new horizons for seniors program, which grants up to $50,000 for community-based projects targeted at seniors and their well-being.
The municipality’s assistant director general Jessica Nilsson explained that the program would allow them to hold a variety of activities for older folks throughout the year.
“The goal of this initiative is simple: to create opportunities for people to stay active, stay connected and enjoy their community,” she said.
She added that the goals of the grant are to support connection and volunteerism, as well as reducing isolation in the elderly population.
The launch party featured a barbecue and live music, with students from St. John’s Elementary helping serve burgers and hotdogs to the several dozen attendees.
While the summer calendar was unveiled on Friday, Nilsson added that more programming would be scheduled throughout the year, to be announced at a later date. Transportation to activities will be provided for anyone in the Campbell’s Bay or Litchfield area to ensure anyone who wants to participate is able. The events will be free of charge and open to the general public, regardless of what town they live in.
Among the programming announced are two community picnics, set for July 15 and Aug. 12, which will include food, games and other attractions.
Every final Thursday of the month (June 25, July 30 and Aug. 27), there will be live music in Mural Park from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
From June 30 to Aug. 25, there will be a walking club every Tuesday morning, taking off from the RA hall at 9 a.m. and finishing at 11 a.m.
In order to let the public know about the activity schedule, two community bulletin boards will be installed, one at Maurice Beauregard Park and the other at memorial park across from the post office.
Nilsson said that anyone with questions or comments can contact the municipality about the program.
Mayor Raymond Pilon said that supporting seniors programming is important for the town.
“This funding represents much more than a financial contribution, it is an investment in the well-being, inclusion and quality of life of our seniors,” he said. “Seniors are the heart of our community.”
