PROVINCE FUNDS OAK BAY ACTNOW BC SENIORS COMMUNITY PARK

VICTORIA – The Province will provide funding of up to $100,000 for an ActNow BC Seniors Community Park to be established in the District of Oak Bay, part of a $1.8-million provincial investment in 18 communities throughout British Columbia, said Ida Chong, Minister of Technology, Trade and Economic Development and MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head.

“We’re committed to building the best system of support for seniors in Canada,” said Chong. “ActNow BC Seniors Community Parks are one of a number of initiatives we are funding to support older British Columbians in living healthier, more active lives. These parks will be supporting communities like Oak Bay to become more age-friendly.”

The District of Oak Bay ActNow BC Seniors Community Park will be located in Henderson Park. It will provide specialized outdoor recreational equipment and activities designed to improve mobility, co-ordination and balance, as well as opportunities for social interaction – a critical healthy living component for older people. City Council is currently consulting with stakeholders on the type of exercise equipment that will be installed.

“We’re so pleased to have a seniors’ park established in Oak Bay in a unique setting,” said Mayor Christopher Causton of the District of Oak Bay. “Our community has a thriving population of older adults, and this park is an excellent vehicle to promote healthy living and emphasize the benefits of physical activity. Our hope is that the park will attract citizens young and old and encourage healthy living across the board.”

“As a senior and city councillor I am very aware of how important remaining active is to our overall health and well-being,” said John Herbert, a local Oak Bay citizen and city councillor. “This unique outdoor fitness equipment will be a great addition and provide seniors with further opportunity to exercise while they use the chip trail.”

Following through on a commitment from the 2008 throne speech, ActNow BC Seniors Community Parks are designed to help older adults stay mobile, physically active and healthy in their communities. In this first round of parks, the Province is providing 18 local governments with funding of up to $100,000 for purchase and installation of the physical activity equipment. Local governments will provide land, site preparation, ongoing maintenance and program delivery for each of the park locations. The parks will be installed in each community by spring 2009.

The communities receiving funding were selected based on regional representation and seniors’ population. They include:

Cranbrook	Nelson	Kelowna
Kamloops	Abbotsford	Burnaby
Surrey	Richmond	Vancouver
District of North Vancouver	Sidney	Nanaimo
Courtenay	Terrace	Prince George
Dawson Creek	North Cowichan	Oak Bay

The ActNow BC Seniors Community Parks are a priority action in the recently launched Seniors in BC: A Healthy Living Framework action plan for seniors – B.C.’s framework to support older British Columbians in living healthy, active lives.

To read about other initiatives in the Seniors in BC: A Healthy Living Framework, visit: http://www.cd.gov.bc.ca/seniors/PDFs/seniors_framework_web.pdf

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Media contact:	Anne McKinnon Communications Director Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport 250 952-2387

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