Duane Hicks
Public meeting
slated Feb. 15
Carrying through with part of the strategic plan mayor and town council developed last year, the Sister Kennedy Centre board of management is seeking input on how to make the centre the focal point of all services for seniors.
It has scheduled a public meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at the centre.
“Demographics show that Fort Frances has an aging population,” noted Coun. Andrew Hallikas, who sits on the Sister Kennedy Centre board.
“As well, seniors are living longer and are more active than ever before.
“Services for our seniors are going to become more and more important as time goes on,” he stressed.
One of the town’s most important assets, insofar as senior services goes, is the Sister Kennedy Centre, said Coun. Hallikas.
“It seems logical and efficient that the Sister Kennedy Centre be the focal point of all services for seniors in Fort Frances.
“A sort of ‘one-stop shopping’ centre for seniors,” he remarked, adding “it is a first-rate, well-run, and efficient operation.”
It is possible that role of the Sister Kennedy Centre in Fort Frances could increase in future, and because of this, it might be expanded in order to have the space to co-ordinate additional seniors’ activities, said Coun. Hallikas.
For example, computer work stations could be added, with workshops on how to use them. These then could be the base of possible educational opportunities, or places to file income tax and get help if needed.
Maybe an exercise room could be added, and fitness programs or additional social programs for seniors could be held at the centre.
Perhaps other seniors’ groups, such as the Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (SALT), could work through the Sister Kennedy Board to look at related seniors’ issues, such as assisted living, and maybe work groups on seniors’ issues could be held there.
The Sister Kennedy Centre receives some funds from the Town of Fort Frances, as well as matching funds from the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care.
It also does some fundraising on its own.
When discussing seniors’ services during its strategic planning process last summer, council decided it would like to see the “integration of various seniors groups into the Sister Kennedy board of management” and “expand the role of the Sister Kennedy board by including members of local seniors groups to help provide mayor and council with advice on local seniors’ issues.”
Council then asked the Sister Kennedy board to come up with a process to implement this item (“item 27”) in the strategic plan.
The board meets monthly and, over the course of several meetings, discussed the interpretation of item 27 and how best to go about implementing it.
The board decided that two meetings would be held. The first was held Dec. 7 for seniors only (i.e., those aged 55 and over), and particularly for those who currently frequent the Sister Kennedy Centre, while a second one will be held next Wednesday (Feb. 15), which will be open to all residents of Fort Frances.
The purpose of these meetings is to garner input from those who presently use the centre, those who are considering using the centre, and those who will use the centre in the future, Coun. Hallikas explained.
“The board is interested in ascertaining any needs of seniors that are presently not being addressed and any improvements that could be made to existing services,” he noted.
“As well, are there other senior services that could be offered out of the Sister Kennedy Centre?” he wondered.
The initial meeting on Dec. 7 was well-attended and a good deal of input was received from those present, said Coun. Hallikas.
“We are hoping to have even better attendance at the next meeting,” he added.
Input from these meetings will be compiled into a report by the Sister Kennedy board, which then will be forwarded to town council for its approval.
Once council has approved the report, implementation will begin.
