A seniors’ coordinator position has been created at the Village of Fruitvale to handle activity and information as it pertains to elders in the area.
The village recently was approved in February for an Age-friendly Community Projects and Planning grant from the Ministry of Health and received the full award of $20,000.
The grant, expected to help support older residents in staying healthy and active in the community, was accepted by the village at its regular council meeting on Monday.
However, the coordinator contract position has not been filled, as advertising for the job will occur this week with intention to staff before March 30.
“I will be meeting with Kiro Wellness Centre who wish to work collaboratively with the village on this initiative,” Fruitvale chief administrative officer Lila Cresswell told council.
The village was one of 52 B.C. municipal governments to receive an age-friendly grant.
Examples of age-friendly community changes include widening sidewalks, installing benches, maximizing green space, and making information, programs and services more accessible to the older population.
By 2031, close to 1.5 million British Columbians, or almost one quarter of the province’s population, will be over 65.
Gas Tax Strategy
With Phase 1 already approved for its wastewater treatment plant, Fruitvale is moving towards gaining a grant for its second phase.
The 2012 intake for the next round of the Gas Tax Strategic Priorities and Innovation Fund is open and deadline for applications is May 31.
Fruitvale council approved submitting an application for Phase 2 of the Fruitvale Waste Water Treatment Plant Upgrades (head works and outfall diffuser).
“This will require site analysis and some preliminary engineering study by the retained Urban Systems Ltd. group and I anticipate it will be in the range of $7,500 to develop the application background,” said Cresswell.
If the application is not approved, the village will be on the hook for the cost of the study.