Seniors exercise costs can be returned in health care savings.
When youth living at Gordonridge, were asked for their input on a gym complex being planned for the site, they asked, “Can we add a walking track for seniors?”
This story, which has been largely passed over in the media, came to our attention for a number of reasons:
- Gordonridge is a large social housing complex, owned by the Toronto Community Housing Corporation, Canada’s largest social housing provider. Clearly, this social housing provider is working to offer more to its residents.
- Private partners are investing funding in the gym complex, also shunning the idea that all social housing should be scrapped.
- Someone actually thought to ask the residents for their ideas for the design of the project.
- Youth pointed out amenities that would make the complex more attractive for the community as a whole.
- The gym complex provides an opportunity for residents to be active, which means they will likely stay healthy for longer than they would with no exercise.
All good reasons when thinking about what is needed for social housing. You can read more here: Scarborough’s Gordonridge Community provides design input into their new multisport space: MLSE Foundation and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities contributed more than $300,000 to create recreation space for all ages
