Westoba Credit Union (Westoba) has announced $5,000.00 in funding from the Westoba Inspire program to help improve accessibility at Ninette Community Place and the Ninette & District Activity Centre.
Located across the street from Westoba’s Ninette branch, Ninette Community Place is home to the Ninette and District Activity Centre, as well as a community hall and kitchen. The Ninette & District Activity Centre is open regularly for people to gather and play cards or pool, get a book, work on a puzzle, or just connect with others. Senior Independent Services Coordinator and Activity Centre Volunteer Board President, Myra Jonsson says the Community Place and Activity Centre are the only public facility of their kind in Ninette.
“Ninette Community Place is the ONLY public gathering space in Ninette and services people of all ages, said Jonsson, “the hall and the Activity Centre are used for a wide number of regular activities.” Jonsson says that the Activity Centre has allowed seniors to remain in the community longer. “The Ninette & District Activity Centre’s mission is to promote healthy aging, independence, and the well-being of older adults through health, wellness, educational, cultural, and recreational programs, and services. This facility reduces social isolation and empowers residents of this area and older adults to lead meaningful and connected lives in which they are engaged and participating in the community.”
Funding from Westoba will support the creation of accessible parking space and the installation of a vertical lift into the building.
“Right now, we only have 1 accessible parking space at the front of the building,” said Jonsson. “Access into the building is by walking or wheeling up a long metal ramp that is not always manageable for people with mobility issues. With these funds, we will create more accessible parking space at the back of the building near a vertical lift creating accessible entrance into the Activity Centre which will flow into the Community Place Hall.”
Westoba President and CEO, Jim Rediger says the investment in this facility reflects Westoba’s values. “This space is an important resource to this region and directly impacts the success of this thriving community and the residents. It’s facilities like this that bring people together and help build a strong community. This reflects our value of innovative thinking and meeting the needs of our communities. “
Construction on the new vertical lift at Ninette Community Place is expected to begin soon with completion aimed at this fall.
