The Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake has been helping seniors stay healthy all year round, offering over 20 recreation programs to ensure people over 65 years old can enjoy an active lifestyle.

Because of 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 commitment to improving the quality of life of its senior citizens, the provincial government awarded 亚洲天堂 Lake the status of 鈥渁ge-friendly community鈥� in the spring of 2015.

In 2014, village council adopted the 鈥榓ge friendly assessment and action plan鈥� (AFAAP) as a guide to make 亚洲天堂 Lake a more inclusive community for residents of all ages. The plan looked at a variety of topics including housing, outdoors spaces, community support and recreation opportunities.

As a result of the AFAAP recommendations, the village developed the 鈥榓ctive 365鈥� program, which includes recreation activities for seniors all year round. Since the beginning of 2015, the programs listed below have been offered, for free, to the seniors by the village recreation department:

1. Fitness 60+ programs;

2. 60+ snowshoes day;

3. Fused glass wall hanger making class;

4. Paper bag mini photo album;

5. Spring card with glass magnet;

6. Soap making demo class;

7. Pickleball program;

8. Squash clinic;

9.  Climbing lessons;

10. 60+ nutrition programs;

11. Card making program;

12. Cookie decoration program;

13. Silver sole hike club;

14. Senior鈥檚 bonspiels;

15. 60+ canoe and kayak lesson;

16. 60+ free Multiplex drop in program in April;

17. 60+ canoe and kayak rentals during the summer;

18. Curling clinic;

19. Senior鈥檚 trip to Nora Lee;

20. 60+ gardening project;

21. Zumba gold/zumba gold toning.

鈥淢ost of the programs were successfully completed, and at this moment, we are preparing a parade as a finale,鈥� explained Sheryl Worthing, Chief Administrative Officer for the Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake.

The seniors who have participated in this project are planning to take part in 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 Christmas parade on Nov. 28, 2015.

The village has also been working on projects that will indirectly improve the lives of seniors, including the downtown revitalization project.

鈥淭he downtown revitalization project not only helps make the downtown more attractive, but provides important features that assist seniors and other residents such as increased number of benches, improved sidewalks and an overall welcoming environment that encourages seniors to walk and enjoy downtown,鈥� explained Krystin St. Jean, Economic Development Officer for the Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake.

Another project that will also indirectly benefit 亚洲天堂 Lake seniors is the upgrade of Eighth Avenue/Center Street corridor.

鈥淭he upgrade of Eighth Avenue will include the addition of sidewalks, which will help make the streets safer for all residents to walk along that corridor and have better access to some of the local health care services in our community,鈥� said St. Jean.

In addition, village staff is looking to update the village鈥檚 official community plan to include objectives and policies involving the AFAAP recommendations. The AFAAP has also been passed to other organizations in the Lakes District that are interested in developing age-friendly programs.

According to the 2011 census, 亚洲天堂 Lake had over 300 citizens aged 65 years and older.

For more information on recreation activities for seniors, contact the Lakeside Multiplex at 250-692-3817.