By Lyonel Doherty

Town council is hoping to secure a grant to better support its aging population in Oliver.

Following a recent meeting, staff were directed to submit an application to complete an “age-friendly” assessment in the community.

The program assists communities in developing policies and undertaking projects to enable seniors to age in place.

Corporate Officer Diane Vaykovich said the Oliver Sport Court Development Committee requested the Town apply for funding ($25,000) to complete the assessment (through a contractor). The committee wishes to raise $120,000 by September 2020 to build four pickleball courts and resurface three tennis courts.

Vaykovich said the Town’s 2018-2022 strategic plan does not specifically address goals or objectives for seniors.

Under the age-friendly grant program, there is a potential for funding for the food secure plan in Oliver, she pointed out.

Councillor Dave Mattes said he was “torn” on the issue but sees the benefit of more pickleball courts. He stated that this program will take time away from staff who are busy working on already-established priorities.

Chief Administrative Officer Cathy Cowan said it would take a couple of weeks of staff time for this project.

Councillor Petra Veintimilla agreed this was significant but noted the end result for Oliver could be an age-friendly community, which seems to be happening across the valley. (The Town of Osoyoos, for example, has been designated as an age-friendly community.)

Councillor Aimee Grice said Oliver has a large senior population, therefore it would be beneficial to engage in that population to create an age-friendly community.

Mayor Martin Johansen said he is also struggling with the staff time issue. He recommended council wait until it does its strategic planning in January to see if this project fits into it, and see what council is willing to sacrifice.

“Because every time we add something on, we really have to take something away or we just get bogged down.”

Mattes asked if it was possible to apply for the funding but off-load the staff time to the people who want the work done.

Cowan said it’s usually Town staff that is responsible for that type of work.

Veintimilla said it doesn’t seem right to off-load the work to someone else.

In the end, council agreed to submit the application and see what happens.