top of page
Search

Ontario Investing Over $212,000 to Support Seniors Active Living Centres in Thunder Bay–Atikokan

  • 13 hours ago
  • 3 min read

Funding will help keep seniors fit, active, healthy, socially connected, and close to home

News Release | July 1st, 2026

THUNDER BAY — The Ontario government is investing $212,066 to support four Seniors Active Living Centre programs in Thunder Bay–Atikokan.


The funding will support the North McIntyre Recreation Centre, West Arthur Community Centre, Rural 60 Plus, and Pioneer Centre in delivering programs that help older adults and seniors stay active, healthy, socially connected, and engaged in their communities.


“Seniors Active Living Centres play an important role in helping older adults stay connected, active, and close to home,” said Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay–Atikokan. “This funding will support trusted local organizations across our riding that provide meaningful programming, social connection, recreation, and a welcoming place for seniors to gather. Thank you to the staff, volunteers, and community members who help make these centres such an important part of our communities.”

This year, Ontario is investing a record amount of close to $23 million to support 416 Seniors Active Living Centre programs across the province, including 97 new ones.


“Senior Active Living Centres keep our seniors, fit, active, healthy, socially connected, close to their homes and in their communities,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “Thanks to Premier Ford’s leadership our government is making the largest investment in Seniors Active Living Centre programs in Ontario’s history. This will help even more seniors, no matter where they live, including those in a city or rural, remote and northern communities live more healthy, happy and independent lives.”

In Thunder Bay–Atikokan, the following Seniors Active Living Centre programs are receiving funding:

The North McIntyre Recreation Centre in Thunder Bay is receiving $56,760 to support in-person programming for approximately 200 older adults and seniors, including fitness, yoga, crafting, pickleball, wood carving, karaoke, movies, and cooking.


The West Arthur Community Centre in Thunder Bay is receiving $57,446 to support programming for approximately 270 older adults, including painting, music, book club, exercise classes, card games, crafting, table tennis, pickleball, gardening, and community events.


Rural 60 Plus in Oliver Paipoonge is receiving $55,000 to support programming for more than 240 older adults and seniors, including woodworking, quilting, carving, choir, yoga, health and wellness sessions, and community meals in partnership with Royal Canadian Legion Branch 225.


The Pioneer Centre in Atikokan is receiving $42,860 to support in-person programming for more than 250 older adults and seniors, including bridge, VON fall prevention, crafts, music, and social programs.


This year, Ontario is also celebrating the 60th anniversary of the first six Elderly Persons’ Centres, now known as Seniors Active Living Centre programs, which were established under the Elderly Persons’ Centres Act, 1966.


That marks six decades of expanding access to programs that help more seniors stay active, healthy, and socially connected, while improving their overall well-being.

The Ontario government is focused on helping seniors stay socially connected, engaged in their communities, and close to home, supporting a happier and higher quality of life


Quotes


On behalf of the Board of Directors and the members of Rural 60 Plus I would like to Thank Raymond Cho, Minister for Senior’s and Accessibility and Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay- Atikokan and the Ontario government for their continued support of seniors in our area. This money will allow us to continue to offer programs to the get the seniors out of their homes and get them engaged in the things that will keep them active both mentally and physically - Lloyd Hanton, President, Rural 60 Plus

Quick Facts


  • There are now 416 Seniors Active Living Centres in Ontario.

  • Ontario now invests up to $55,000 for each Seniors Active Living Centre, up from $50,000 last year and $42,700 the year before for operations and maintenance.

  • In 2024, Seniors Active Living Centres received their first funding increase in 15 years.

  • For more information, please visit the Seniors Active Living Centres program webpage.


bottom of page