Beaver Staff
Golden years residents across Lennox and Addington were the beneficiary of $438,000 in funding doled out by the federal government on Wednesday to be put towards accessibility upgrades and seniors programs.
Hastings Lennox and Addington Liberal MP Mike Bossio was at Enterprise’s Annunciation Catholic Church Hall to announce the funding, which will be spread out between six reno projects and seven programs.
Among the L&A County buildings receiving funding were Enterprise’s Annunciation Church, ($14,950 to build an accessible washroom and automatic door opener), Tamworth’s Medical Centre ($68,089 for an exterior ramp, accessible washroom and automatic door), Newburgh Community Hall ($69,092 for accessible ramp within their facility) and the Mohawks Bay of Quinte First Nation Christ Church ($30,043 for an accessible ramp).
The projects were funded by the Government of Canada’s Enabling Accessibility Fund.
Several community groups that provide programs for seniors also received funding. They included the Mohawks Bay of Quinte First Nation Active Seniors Program ($25,000) as well as Lt. Col. Harry Babcock Branch 137 Legion in Napanee to purchase musical equipment ($4,902). The funding for the programs aimed at seniors was through the government’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.
“(Wednesday’s) announcement is another example of what our government is doing to ensure that all Canadians can gain access and contribute to what makes our rural communities the incredible areas we are proud to call our home,” said Bossio. “I want to thank all participating organizations for applying for funding that will help to make our public spaces and workplaces more inclusive for those with disabilities, and more engaging and welcoming for our seniors.”