Duane Hicks
The process for Fort Frances to become an “Age Friendly Community” is moving forward.
Coun. June Caul, who sits on the Age Friendly Steering Committee, told town council Monday night that they’re getting close to launching a survey to find out “what is good about Fort Frances in relationship to seniors, and how safe it is as a community for seniors and what’s needed to be done.”
Coun. Caul said the survey will be going out later this month.
The committee has received a grant, and is in the process of hiring an age-friendly community consultant to gather and process the results of the survey when it’s done.
The committee and consultant will work together to define local principles as they relate to seniors in Fort Frances, undertake a custom needs assessment through the Sister Kennedy Centre here, and develop an action plan that will pave the way for an implementation and evaluation plan.
Being an “Age Friendly Community” will make the town eligible for certain senior-specific grants.
But it also identifies the community is concerned about its seniors and ensures that the town is mindful to include seniors in its decision-making in regards to transportation, accessibility, health care, and other areas.
Statistics show the face of Canada is aging, Coun. Caul said.
For example, population projections indicate that by 2036, people aged 55 years or older will make up 33 percent of the population of Ontario.
Currently, the median age in Fort Frances and surrounding area is 59.
“So we’re looking at a stronger population number, as far as seniors go, within a short time frame,” Coun. Caul noted.
In addition to provincial grant money, Community Living Fort Frances and District and the Rainy River Future Development Corp. have pitched in funding and are collaborative partners on the project.
The direction to become an “Age Friendly Community” stems from the town’s most recent strategic plan, where it was identified as an initiative.
In related news:
•the Sister Kennedy Centre and Fort Frances Kiwanis Club will be running Bingos on Friday evenings throughout the fall and winter (they are in the process of getting a lottery licence and hope to start up on Sept. 30);
•a seniors’ fair will be held Oct. 4 at the Sister Kennedy Centre, featuring booths and speakers, which will be run by the Older Adult Centres’ Association of Ontario;
•there’s been more discussion regarding a 55-plus seniors’ housing complex (talks are ongoing to purchase to property and work with a contractor from Steinbach, Man. to build the complex); and
•there’s been tentative discussion of a youth centre starting in Fort Frances.
