Growing demand puts pressure on Town recreation programs for seniors

Facing an aging population and growing post-pandemic interest in its recreation programs, the Town of Halton Hills says the resulting demand is stretching its recreational spaces.

“We’re starting to burst at the seams,” Town Recreation Supervisor Margaret Taylor told HaltonHillsToday. “It was a bit of a slow return post-pandemic to active living programs, and then all of the sudden this fall it was like everybody decided to come back. So our classes are filling up.”

According to statistics provided by the Town, populations of older adults in age groups of 55 and above are all showing growth, thus increasing the load on municipal programs. Those groups are growing by an average of 20 per cent. The three categories showing the largest increases are 60 to 64 (31 per cent), 75 to 79 (30 per cent) and 85 and over (24 per cent).

“We are getting older,” Taylor said. “We’re not just experiencing that in Halton Hills. All of our fellow municipalities relatives are having the same kinds of changes in their demographics.”

Recreation classes for seniors form a vital function in their well-being. Experts say they provide extensive mental and physical benefits to the members of the program through socialization and keeping the mind and body active.

Hundreds of seniors go to the Town for programs like Bone Builder and Walk This Way. The Bone Builder, for example, is handy for maintaining balance and bodily stability, thus reducing falls.

But despite the numbers suggesting increasing demand on Town recreation programs, the situation is not necessarily dire. Staff are able to employ workarounds to accommodate everybody.

“In the spring, summer and fall, we do try to capitalize on our outdoor spaces,” Recreational Coordinator Stephanie Barrington said. Places like the Gellert Community Centre, Mold-Masters SportsPlex and Acton Arena fill the void where possible.

“A hockey arena is just less busy during the day and in the morning than it is in the evening with teams coming in,” Barrington explained.

For more information on Town of Halton Hills’ programs for seniors, visit the municipality’s website.

Link to original article.