The Municipality of Jasper is advocating that Pine Grove Manor be rebuilt to include a seniors centre space and additional units.
On Tuesday (April 1), council authorized Mayor Richard Ireland to write a letter to formerly make this request to the Alberta government.
“I know that as the deomographics of Jasper and the country are aging and the baby boomer generation [are] all entering into their senior years, this is very critical,” said Coun. Kathleen Waxer.
Waxer also noted that loneliness and isolation were some of the most dangerous aspects of aging.
“Having a larger and centralized seniors space is going to be critical to the health and well-being of our older residents,” she added.
Pine Grove Manor, an independent seniors living facility, was one of many buildings destroyed in last summer’s wildfire. The Alberta government has indicated that the facility will be rebuilt.
On March 25, CAO Bill Given told council that this was an opportunity to “build back better,” such as by adding a seniors centre that would replace the Seniors’ Lounge at the Jasper Activity Centre.
Last fall, the municipality considered taking over the Seniors’ Lounge for office space, but after the Jasper Seniors Society, which occupies the lounge and uses it as a space for local seniors, pushed back against the proposal, council decided to extend the lease by another four years.
The Jasper Seniors Society recently voted to support council’s advocacy for a seniors centre at Pine Grove Manor.
While Ireland supported the proposal, he also wanted to advocate for more seniors housing in general, given how many homes were lost in the wildfire.
“I know that there are lots of seniors who think it’s too great of a challenge to rebuild, and they won’t be returning to the community, and it will be a loss that will be felt deeply throughout the community,” he said on March 25. “This is an opportunity, I think, to look at a bigger picture and not focus just on the seniors centre space but on space for seniors.”
Administration noted how once the municipality secures the Alberta government’s commitment, it would be essential to collaborate with Jasper seniors and senior-serving agencies to ensure the centre meets the community’s needs.
