MINDEMOYA—It appears that a classroom in Central Manitoulin Public School (CMPS) in Mindemoya could be transformed into a senior centre for residents in the municipality.
“I was talking to a lady from the Rainbow District School Board (RDSB) last week and what is being looked at is one classroom being used, with a space requirement of 750 to 800 square feet in the school, to be used for a seniors’ centre,” Central Manitoulin Mayor Richard Stephens told the Recorder, recently. “I relayed the costs involved and the fact that the board is looking at providing this space to the senior group here and they are meeting and will be making a final decision on whether they approve going ahead or not.”
Mayor Stephens said in a previous meeting with local seniors in Central Manitoulin, “it seemed fairly positive, and the proposal would be similar to what the town of Gore Bay has done. A group of seniors in the municipality heard of the project being put in place by the town of Gore Bay and the RDSB for a seniors centre to be constructed and used in space in Charles C. McLean school, and our local citizens wanted a seniors centre here in the municipality.”
Central Manitoulin Councillor Linda Farquhar told the Recorder on Sunday, “I am a member of the Golden Age Club in Mindemoya. Our council had received a letter from the (RDSB) telling us they had extra space in their schools and whether there was any interest here in our municipality to use the space. When this was brought up at a recent seniors meeting a motion was passed that the group should approach council to see if there is any possibility they would help us establish a seniors drop in centre.”
The seniors centre in Central Manitoulin, “is sorely needed, there is a lot of seniors in our municipality who would use a centre like this,” stated Councillor Farquhar. “There is space available (in CMPS), a classroom with about 700 to 800 square feet of space, at $11 per square foot,” she pointed out.
“In January I will be making a presentation to council, along with the seniors’ group representatives, asking for council’s support for rent of the space for a seniors centre,” continued Councillor Farquhar. She said the seniors group could provide the furnishing for the senior centre.
“I think there is a need for a seniors’ centre in Mindemoya,” said Councillor Farquhar. “They do gather at the community centre, for cards, but this is just once a month, while a seniors centre would provide access to a facility to have events and activities every day. They say the Gore Bay seniors’ centre is quite busy.”
