Sarnia is seeking funding to make the city a friendlier place for older residents.
A provincial grant of $35,000, if approved, would be used to hire a project co-ordinator to develop a plan in tandem with community members and groups.
Sarnia could then access up to $1.5 million for a variety of “age-friendly” improvements, including making outdoor spaces and buildings more accessible, affordable housing, and leisure and social activities that cater to older persons’ needs and abilities.
City council, in approving the application, noted the Age-Friendly Community Planning Grant could help current efforts to attract more retirees to the city.
Half of the residents of Sarnia are 45 or older, which is four years older then the median age in Ontario.