$1.1M approved for seniors centre in Moncton

A new seniors centre for Moncton at 1010 St. George Boulevard.

The non-profit group that pushed for Project 1010 Seniors Centre will receive $1.1 million for capital costs to lease the space in the building. The agreement was approved by Moncton City Council on Tuesday night.

Councillor Shawn Crossman says this has been a long time coming for the group, “This has been a difficult file to move forward without all your cooperation. All your input and gatherings at the seniors round tables that we’ve had, the outcome has been a seniors committee that has proven itself.”

He thanked the seniors for all of the back and forth over the past year, with the process starting in January 2024.

“Without your patience, without your dedication, and without your voice, I think the motion couldn’t have been possible,” Crossman added during last night’s meeting.

The group will also receive an interest-free loan of up to $689,000 for renovations, furniture and equipment, and up to $125,000 annually in operational funding through the City’s annual operating budget.

Twenty-one conditions must be met in the agreement between the City and the non-profit group:

That the not-for-profit organization develop a clear and concise business plan for long-term sustainable funding that may rely on provincial and/or federal government programs and budgets, increases in memberships and rentals, and/or community fundraising;
That a business plan and agreement will be established between the City of Moncton and the non-profit organization and must be presented to and approved by Moncton City Council;
That the not-for-profit organization provide Class C estimates for the renovations required to the space;
That the not-for-profit organization be fully sustainable after 5 years. Should this not occur, the City will have the option to take back control of the seniors centre and operations;
That the not-for-profit organization establish sound principles of governance and work with Administration to establish annual planning and reporting requirements;
That the City’s General Manager of Financial Services (or their designate) provide oversight to the organization as it is established and during its first 5 years of operation; similar to the City of Moncton’s agreement with Curl Moncton;
That the recruitment process adopted by City Council through its Administration of Agencies, Boards, Commissions and Committees Policy be followed to establish the board of management for the not-for-profit organization;
That the future board of management include a seat for a member of the Recreation Department;
That a member of the Recreation Department be part of the recruitment process for the Coordinator’s position;
That the Coordinator of the centre work collaboratively with the Community Development Officer to provide diversified programming options and to promote seniors’ activities;
That a yearly audit, based on sound financial governance, be conducted of the Centre’s finances and activities to ensure the agreement with the City of Moncton has been met;
Ensure youth membership on the board who would be responsible for youth driven
activities;
That the Board be established, incorporated with by-laws to be operational by opening day;
That the 1010 St. George Blvd. centre be a City-wide facility with a city-wide mandate and regional component which would provide activities for the new west end;
That the lease between the centre and the landlord for the facility contain a condition that, should the centre cease operations or fail to meet its obligations under the agreement with the City, or should the lease be terminated early for any reason by either party, that the City shall have the right of first refusal to assume the lease for the remainder of its term; and
That should the project fail to meet any of the conditions of the agreement or otherwise outlined herein, the agreement may be immediately terminated.

Rising Tide announced in January this year that it was buying the building located at 1010 St. George Boulevard to create 30 affordable residential units for seniors on the New Brunswick housing waitlist.

This opened up an opportunity on the lower level for a seniors centre or space that could be leased by other groups.

Renovations to the building began in February.

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