St. Andrew's United Church in Coniston received $24,500 from the federal government to improve accessibility for seniors.
Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré announced the new funding Friday, which is part of the government's New Horizons for Seniors Program, which supports similar community projects across Canada.
Serré said he hopes the announcement is the first of many to support the aging population in his riding.
“Housing has been a priority,” he said. “In the last 10 years, there hasn't been a lot of investment in housing, and especially seniors housing.”
Serré said there are a half dozen seniors housing projects across his riding that will need support from all levels of government to get off the ground.
“I'll be proactive in Ottawa to make sure we get our share of the funding,” he said.
Les Lisk, the co-ordinator for the church renovation, said some of the funds have already been used to add a wheelchair lift to the small church, which was built in 1907, and transported to its current location, on First Avenue, by train and horse.
The church has been an important community meeting place for years, he said.
“The volunteers are getting older, but they still want to be an integral part of the community,” Lisk added.
Lisk also chairs a non-profit housing corporation in Coniston that has plans to build a $14-million 52-unit subsidized apartment building for seniors.
The non-profit housing corporation has been working on the project for four years, he said, and has gotten the necessary approvals to begin construction. But it would need federal support to get started.
Lisk said Coniston does not currently have any subsidized housing for seniors.
