SUNDRE – Courtesy of provincial funding that was officially announced Thursday, the Sundre Community Van Association will be able to replace its aging bus and continue to ensure not only seniors but also other organizations have access to transportation.
Sundre is among five municipalities to have a non-profit community service group set to receive a grant from a new pool of funding amounting to a total investment of $1.1 million to be allocated over the next three years.
The Sundre association is anticipating roughly $150,000.
The provincial government’s announcement was made in partnership with Healthy Aging Alberta on Thursday, Nov. 16 at the Sundre Greenwood Neighbourhood Place Society’s office.
“Alberta remains committed to tackling the affordability challenges that we face across Canada and across the world, largely driven by inflation and global concerns that are taking place that are outside the control of both the federal and provincial governments,” said Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre MLA Jason Nixon, who is also the minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services.
“The reality though, is that life is getting more expensive for Albertans and for Canadians, and it’s incumbent upon government to step in and help our citizens,” said Nixon, adding that’s why the province is making investments in affordability measures.
“We are also being creative at looking at other avenues where we can invest in mechanisms that can help particularly seniors remain in the homes that they’ve lived in and in the communities that they’ve built,” he said.
“We know that for seniors to remain in our communities, we’re going to have to invest significantly in transportation,” he said, adding transportation services are key to connecting people not only with doctors and other medical appointments, but even just running other errands like grabbing groceries or getting out to socialize.
“It’s important that seniors can get to where they need to go without breaking the bank and have the necessary supports to help them age in our communities,” he said.
The other municipalities with organizations set to receive grant funding are Edson, Fox Creek, Oyen, and the Municipal District of Smoky River.
Expressing gratitude for the funding, Leigh Smithson, the president of the Sundre Community Van Association, said the funds will ensure the non-profit organization is able to get a new van as well as hire a full-time coordinator.
“Our oldest volunteer – surprisingly enough – is our van, and it’s been serving for 13 years. It’s a little tired, it needs replacement,” said Smithson, who also praised volunteers past and present who have kept the organization rolling for 26 years.
During an interview with the Albertan just prior to the official announcement, he said, “This is immense for us because it means a new bus.”
“It’s a big deal for the community, because not only do the seniors benefit, but the businesses, the organizations in town do (too) because we bring the seniors in for socializing and for appointments and for shopping,” he added.
“So, it’s win-win all around.”
Mayor Richard Warnock expressed gratitude to the province and minister Nixon on behalf of council and the municipality, and also stressed the importance of facilitating access for seniors before going onto praise the community volunteers.
“The work we are doing together as a community-based sector alongside government is a critical step towards supporting our collective vision of making Alberta one of the best places in the world to grow older,” said Lisa Stebbins, Community Leadership Council with Healthy Aging Alberta.
“It ensures that older adults living in rural communities have the transportation supports they need to age well and thrive in their communities,” she said.
“Transportation services are essential to promote access to medical and social services crucial to everyone’s well being.”
According to a provincial government press release, the three-year project is intended to assist local community groups and their affiliates to deliver innovative, accessible and assisted transportation services to older adults in their communities.
Early next year, interested community-based organizations, Family and Community Support Services offices and municipalities will be invited to submit expressions of interest to be part of the next phase of the project.
