Vancouver City Council approves site for Sunset Seniors’ Centre

Gregor Robertson
Photo by Sukhwant Singh Dhillon

BY GREGOR ROBERTSON

Mayor of Vancouver

 

LAST year, I had the privilege of visiting with the Indo Canadian Seniors Society, celebrate their achievements, and recognize the positive contributions of our community elders. After listening to their concerns, I was proud to support a motion advocating for a new seniors’ centre in the Sunset community and sponsoring a motion allocating $300,000 for City staff to undertake a feasibility study – including site selection and concept design for a new Seniors Centre in South Vancouver.

In October, Vancouver City Council voted to support the development and construction of a 10,000-square-foot Seniors’ Centre located next to the existing Sunset Community Centre. This model is similar to the Killarney Seniors Centre which is anticipated to be completed by March 2018.

Over the next 25 years, not only will the demand for seniors’ facilities increase dramatically but so will our seniors’ population. Vancouver will have an 80% increase of residents aged 65-74 and we expect a 100% increase of residents older than 75. However, of the City’s eight seniors’ facilities, there are only three located in East Vancouver.

Providing greater seniors services is a priority for me and my council and I’m happy we have the support of the neighbourhood . As we pursue cost sharing opportunities with Provincial and Federal governments, I’m glad we have the consistent support of Vancouver South MP Harjit Sajjan. We expect similar support from MLA’s in the new BC government.

Sunset is gaining momentum as a vibrant, diverse, inclusive community, building on a strong history and community foundation. I’m confident that, together, we can find a space that seniors – and the broader community – can be proud of: one that brings families together, keeps seniors close to the amenities and community they cherish, and helps the Sunset community prosper for years to come.

3 COMMENTS

  1. Proud of theVision, planning and action by Mr Robertson and his team.
    I wish this news be sent to many Seniors to do their best in participating as volunteers and also to those who need the assistance , especially as a good news at this time of the year.
    I will do my share in doing it too.
    Thank you all who put there efforts.
    Happy New Year

  2. This is welcome news indeed. Congratulations to Mr. Robertson for his insight and generosity. It will also allow skilled seniors to continue to the community and generate discussions of how best to help and support those in need. Give us the tools and we will start what needs to be done. Happy new year.

  3. Wonderful news for the community to expand services for seniors which will combat isolation and provide needed social/recreational opportunities. Hope the funding will be forthcoming for this Seniors’ Centre.

Comments are closed.