A proposal to help Township seniors use services in Langley City has run into some resistance, with some Township councillors objecting to funding activities in a different community.
The Langley Senior Resources Society (LSRS) has asked the Township to fund a twice-a-week shuttle bus for seniors living in Walnut Grove, Fort Langley and Aldergrove to make it easier for Township residents to visit the centre.
It’s also asked for money to put part-time outreach staff in Walnut Grove, Fort Langley and Aldergrove, along with subsidies for low-income seniors.
The total estimated cost is $38,975.50.
The idea was presented last year, but it didn’t make the cut for consideration in the 2015 budget.
Councillor Petrina Arnason thought it was a good idea that should be revived, considering that an estimated 55 per cent of the people who use the seniors centre are Township residents.
Arnason said the centre provides “a total social and participatory package” to seniors in the Township and City.
But when Arnason tried to convince the rest of council to approve the funding, she ran into some resistance.
Councillor Angie Quaale said council needs a lot more information before it approves the proposal, especially how much money the City would be contributing.
Quaale said City residents “avail themselves a lot more often” of Township services than Township residents do of the City.
Councillor Charlie Fox suggested delaying the decision to sort out those details and Councillor Michelle Sparrow thought the seniors centre should send representatives to council to discuss the proposal.
“I certainly have a lot of questions,” Sparrow said.
Council voted unanimously to postpone a decision and get more information, including inviting representatives of the centre to come to council.
“I think we need to have that discussion here,” Fox said, noting the proposal was more than a year old.
“Their needs may have changed.”