A seniors group is expressing disappointment and frustration after learning that a seniors’ centre at 1010 St. George Boulevard will not go ahead.
They had hoped to establish the centre on the bottom floor of the building recently purchased by Rising Tide.
“On April 22, Moncton City Council approved the proposal to establish a seniors’ centre at 1010 St. George Blvd in partnership with Rising Tide. A company was formed, 1010 Senior Centre Incorporated, with the immediate goal to apply for not-for-profit status,” said spokesperson Dennis Cochrane.
“The conditions in Moncton city council’s motion are not onerous and are being worked upon by our committee and city staff.”
The group says Rising Tide made the decision to withdraw its plans to designate the first floor of the St. George Boulevard building as a seniors’ centre and opted to rent this space to another entity.
“This decision follows months of working together on the unique combination of affordable apartments and a centre for seniors. April 9, Rising Tide sent a document to me, asking what I thought, and it talked about a medical clinic. They asked if I wanted to consult with it, and the board had approved it to be discussed with the city and the group,” said Cochrane.
“I immediately gave my answer. No one would have expected me to say we would cast the seniors aside and go with this, and then the city gave their answer on April 22. So it was pretty clear that neither of the other parties wanted this.”
RELATED: No seniors’ centre at 1010 St. George after all
Moncton council voted in favour of $1.1 million for capital costs to lease the space in the building, and an interest-free loan of up to $689,000 for renovations, along with $125,000 annually for operational funding for the centre.
Cochrane says the team is determined to continue working with and for the local seniors community to promote the establishment of a comparable centre.
“We have to take the anger and frustration and turn it into energy and enthusiasm to get a centre for seniors.”
