More funding for two groups who stepped up to provide for seniors.
Dans Encorps and Royal Canadian Legion Branch #6 will again offer programming in 2025.
Legion President Bob Dupuis says numbers have increased substantially, “Thanks to the exercise program, we have people coming in on crutches, and wheelchairs that can sit, and listen to music, and they pay $2 for the Seniors Social. It covers the cost of food. We’ve gone from 345 attending in 2024 and moving into 2025 we’re at 438,” Dupuis told Moncton City Council during a Committee of the Whole meeting this week.
Moncton council approved in principle, $84,000 for the Legion and $57,000 for Dans Encorps for seniors programs for 2025. This still needs to be voted on at a future Moncton City Council meeting for full approval.
This temporarily fills a much-needed gap in the City of Moncton for seniors programming.
Dupuis adds, that at the Legion they have several other social activities as well, “One room is Euchre and another is Crib and they’re having a great time. Our Legion is probably booked for 90 per cent of seniors seven days a week. We’re probably one of the only Legions that are quite active for seniors, seven days a week.”
They also have line dancing, exercise classes, shuffleboard, pool, and darts without any additional cost to the seniors. Their Seniors Social cost $2, to cover the cost of food. Tea, coffee and water are available to everyone.
DansEncorps Inc. also talked about the success of its seniors programs in 2024.
“In less than two weeks after the launch, the influx of participants was such that we had to implement a quota system to manage the high demand and guarantee optimal safety conditions. This demonstrates a massive interest in this type of program and a real need among the community’s seniors,” Artistic Director Chantal Cadieux told City Council.
Their senior’s program which started in October 2024, included 39 movement classes adapted for seniors, scheduled over 12 weeks. Activities include body alignment, chair yoga, dance therapy, and line dancing.
They also introduced more structured activities, such as a lively discussion social gathering and a gift-wrapping day. These gifts were then donated to a Moncton charity campaign, reinforcing participants’ social and community involvement.
Sixty-three seniors were enrolled in their program last year, and that has risen to over 80 for 2025.
More than 120 movement classes are being offered for this year.
