Keremeos and Okanagan Falls are among 28 B.C. communities that have been awarded 2016 age-friendly community planning and project grants, to support strategies to help seniors stay mobile, physically active, socially connected and healthy.
The Village of Keremeos will receive $20,000 to assist in the creation of an age-friendly outdoor fitness park to increase accessible recreation and healthy living opportunities for local seniors. The village will engage older adults in the planning process for the park, and will also provide orientations on the use of the park..
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen will receive $20,000 for the Age-friendly Buildings and Benches project in the community of Okanagan Falls. This project focuses on working with BC Transit, business owners and other partners to make bus stops and businesses in Okanagan Falls more accessible. In addition to installing transit benches, the project will establish an incentive program to encourage local businesses to become more age-friendly. These activities address priorities identified in the 2014 Okanagan Falls age-friendly plan.
“The Village of Keremeos and Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District are doing excellent work to ensure our citizens have the services they need as they age,” Boundary-Similkameen MLA Linda Larson said. “Our government is proud to support their efforts with these grants, which help build age-friendly communities for current and future generations.”