Programming for seniors in Moncton moved to Heritage Court (77 Foundry Street) over the winter months after the Lions Community Centre became an emergency homeless shelter in December.

The Lions Centre has a volunteer board and had a lease with the City of Moncton to provide seniors programming at 476 St. George Street through a city grant worth $68,330 annually.

Their programming was also supplemented through rental and subleasing opportunities at the facility.

At Monday’s regular council meeting, community services spokesperson Jocelyn Cohoon told city council that seniors have said they actually prefer their new location.

“We (staff) were instructed by council to look at a different model for seniors anyway, so regardless of whether it’s Heritage Court or the building at St. George Street, they likely will be in a smaller space with a different model in the coming months.”

Cohoon told council most of the groups that had leased space in the building have found other homes.

“Some were nonprofit – a very small amount were nonprofit. Often they were for-profit businesses and the Lions Centre were leasing to them to augment their operational costs.”

City council has accepted a 2023 business proposal from the Lions Centre board and will provide $379,325 in funding ($312,809 plus a past deficit of $66,516) to allow seniors programs to remain at Heritage Court until at least December 31.

The board will be asked to return to council by September 30 with a revised business model and an operational plan for future years.