The Government of Canada invests in renovations of the Beach Meadows Community Hall

May 20, 2010

MP Gerald Keddy is shown here with (from left to right) Kendell Colp, Chair of the Beach Meadows Community Hall Association, Mable Shediac and Ruby Pentz, Members of the Beach Meadows Community Hall. Mable and Ruby are local quilters that quilt at the Beach Meadows Community Hall as it is the only space large enough to house the quilts while they are being made.


Beach Meadows, NS - Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore – St. Margaret’s, today announced federal support for the Beach Meadows Community Hall under the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

MP Keddy made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State (Seniors).

The Beach Meadows Community Hall will receive $17,650 to assist the Hall with a number of repairs, including: repairs to the roof, windows, doors and lights, as well as the replacement of the oven and card tables. Once completed, the Hall will be safer and more user-friendly for members of the Beach Meadows Community Hall Association and those renting the facility for functions.

“The Government of Canada is proud to support projects that assist seniors and keep them involved in their communities,” said MP Keddy. “This investment will contribute to the well-being of the Beach Meadows Community Hall and those that it serves.”

"Beach Meadows Community Hall has numerous hands waiting to volunteer but the funding was our current challenge," said Karla Colp, Assistant Chair, Beach Meadows Community Hall. "Now with this generous grant, those hands can begin the work of improving this facility with upgrades to roofing, wheelchair ramp, interior painting, new doors/windows, and energy efficient kitchen appliances which in turn will establish its future and longevity for many more generations to enjoy. Beach Meadows Hall has been the backbone for gatherings here since 1952 and it makes us proud to know others see its worth. We may not be as large as some but our spirit and dedication are as great as any."

Capital Assistance funding helps non-profit organizations upgrade facilities or equipment required for existing seniors’ programs and activities. This project is one of 645 projects that were approved through the 2009–2010 call for proposals, providing more than $8.5 million in funding through the Capital Assistance funding stream.

The New Horizons for Seniors Program helps to ensure that seniors are able to benefit from and contribute to the quality of life in their communities through their social participation and active living. Since its beginning, the Program has funded over 6,000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada. Last year alone, more than 100,000 seniors in over 500 communities throughout the country were involved in projects funded by the Program.

Year Two of Canada’s Economic Action Plan committed $10 million over two years to increase funding for the New Horizons for Seniors Program. This will be in addition to the $35 million that is the current overall budget for the Program. Plans for the implementation of this new funding are now under development.

For more information about the New Horizons for Seniors Program, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.



Backgrounder

New Horizons for Seniors Program

Across Canada, the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) helps to ensure that seniors are able to actively contribute to and benefit from the quality of life in their communities.

Building on the success of the NHSP, in Budget 2007, the Government of Canada increased the Program’s budget by $10 million, therefore increasing the total annual budget to $35 million per year.


The Program offers three types of funding to organizations:

1. Community Participation and Leadership funding (up to $25,000): this funding supports community-based projects across Canada.  The projects encourage seniors to continue to play an important role in their communities by helping those in need, providing leadership, and sharing their knowledge and skills with others.
2. Capital Assistance funding (up to $25,000): this funding helps non‑profit organizations that need to upgrade facilities or equipment used for existing seniors’ programs and activities.  It enables seniors to continue to lead active lives by participating in existing programs and activities in their communities.
3. Elder Abuse Awareness funding (up to $250,000): this funding helps non‑profit organizations and coalitions raise awareness of the abuse of older adults on a national or regional level.  Through this funding, new educational and awareness resources about elder abuse will be available to improve quality of life, safety and security for seniors.

Year Two of Canada’s Economic Action Plan committed $10 million over two years to increase funding for the New Horizons for Seniors Program.  This will be in addition to the $35 million that is the current overall budget for the Program. Plans for the implementation of this new funding are now under development.