Several facilities in the Thunder Bay area which provide services and activities for seniors are on the receiving end of some provincial dollars.

A total of $188,902 was announced by Minister for Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho Wednesday at the Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre.

The money comes through Seniors Community Grants, which he says are multi-generation investments.

“When we build a good society for seniors, we are building a good society for everyone. One day, anybody and everybody who lives long, they become a senior.”

Four centres in the Thunder Bay area will benefit from the money including:

• $51,438 for the North McIntyre Recreation Centre
• $48,526 for the West Arthur Community Centre
• $46,238 for the Rural 60 Plus in Kakabeka Falls
• $42,700 for the Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre

According to the province seniors represent the fastest growing demographic in Ontario, with their numbers expected to hit 3 million by the end of the year.

Cho was joined by his colleague Thunder Bay – Atikokan MPP Kevin Holland, who says bringing Ministers to Thunder Bay helps bring more attention to the region which he believes will only further benefit the Northwest as a whole.

“Its not better, its not worse its just different. Being able to have the Ministers here experiencing that first hand, makes the advocacy work that I’m doing in Toronto a lot easier.”

In regards to the funding Holland says this money will allow seniors to remain active with friends and family safely within the community.

A release from the province states it will be investing up to $6 million through almost 300 Seniors Community Grant projects.

Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre – File Photo