Town of Aurora’s Seniors’ Centre Receives Provincial Grant to Strengthen Older Adult Program

The Ontario Government on Thursday announced an investment in the Aurora Seniors’ Centre to support its popular Walking Club that helps keep older adults active and engaged.

The announcement was made at an event at the Aurora Seniors’ Centre by the Honourable Raymond Cho, Ontario’s Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP for Newmarket-Aurora, Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas, Council members, and Town staff were also in attendance. 

“I want to thank Minister Cho and the Ontario Government for this important investment in our community. Programs like our Walking Club are vital to the health and well-being of so many residents here in Aurora,” said Mayor Mrakas. “What I love about our Walking Club is that it provides a way for older adults to stay active, while also fostering connections and new friendships between people of different backgrounds and experiences. That’s really at the heart of all our programming for older residents.”

The new investment in the Walking Club, totalling just over $8,800, comes from the Ontario Government’s Seniors Community Grant. The weekly Walking Club meets every Tuesday between October and March at the Aurora Family Leisure Complex (AFLC).

Each Walking Club session starts with a 20-minute walk on the free indoor walking track at AFLC, then a certified fitness instructor leads participants in a stretch to cool down and increase flexibility. This is followed by an educational seminar on a range of topics pertinent to older residents, including fraud and identity theft, medication and decluttering. Funding from Ontario’s Seniors Community Grant program will help the Aurora Seniors’ Centre in the purchase of an iPad, projector and screen for the educational seminars, as well as a sling-pack and water bottle for each Walking Club member. 

The Aurora Seniors’ Centre is operated in partnership with the Town of Aurora's Community Services Department and the Aurora Seniors Association, and its success is based on many seniors who volunteer their time.