With some $16,000 in provincial FCSS funding not yet spent in 2015, the Town of Canmore has put forward two new exciting social programs that money can be used for to improve the lives of seniors and connect neighbours with each other.
Canmore council voted in December to support establishing a cycling program for seniors using specially designed bikes called trishaws, as well as establishing a Neighbourhood Connector Program.
Family and Community Support Services supervisor Tara Gilchrist detailed the two community programs to council, asking elected officials to approve reallocating $4,000 of municipal funding in her department’s operational budget to support them.
“I am here to ask for permission to use $4,000 of the municipal FCSS contribution to be combined with $16,000 of the provincial contribution to FCSS to purchase equipment for two new and exciting projects we hope to launch in the spring of 2016,” Gilchrist said.
“Cycling Without Age is a program where essentially a trishaw, which is a specialized bike, is used to transport seniors within the community so those seniors have the opportunity to enjoy nature, continue to cycle, connect with the community and build relationships. It aligns nicely with our 2014 social needs assessment and the need for social connectivity and isolation in seniors.”
The trishaw bike is designed to seat two people in the front – seniors – while a third pedals from behind and steers.
According to the staff report to council, $16,000 of provincial funds for FCSS in the 2015 budget will not be permitted to be carried over to 2016, so the purchase of equipment to support the two programs “makes pragmatic sense to address some emerging needs in the community.”
The Neighbourhood Connector program, meanwhile, would see FCSS purchase a trailer with contents that would support community gatherings, celebrations or neighbourhood barbecues.
Gilchrist said the trailer could be booked by neighbourhoods to provide the supplies needed for these types of events. It would contain a barbecue, tables, chairs and other supplies and be delivered and subsequently taken away by the Streets and Roads department.
“At this point, all the program details have not been worked out, but the idea would be there would be no charge, but a deposit made so if something is damaged it could be replaced,” she said. “We would really like to start out with a situation where all neighbourhoods and individuals are not hampered to accessing it due to affordability.”
The goal, Gilchrist said, is to connect neighbours with each other and in the past some neighbourhoods have struggled with organizing these types of events. With the Neighbourhood Connector trailer, basic supplies needed to organize events would be available.
It was a decision easy for council to support unanimously.
“I find this very easy to support,” said Councillor Sean Krausert. “Not only is it a small amount of money already allocated to be spent, but the programs themselves are fantastic.”
