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Driven by a strong sense of community and commitment to residents of all ages, Port Colborne is making meaningful strides in supporting its seniors, ensuring they feel connected and supported.
This June, as Ontario marks Seniors Month, Port Colborne is highlighting the many ways it is supporting older adults – an effort that has earned the City recognition as an Age-Friendly Community from the Ontario Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility. The designation recognizes municipalities that are building inclusive environments where seniors are safe, supported, and socially engaged.
While the recognition marks an important milestone, the work behind it has been shaped over time through local programs and a shared community understanding of what it means to be age-friendly.
“An Age-Friendly Community is one that is inclusive, accessible, and supports well-being at every stage of aging,” said Sloane McDowell, Public Programmer at the Port Colborne Historical & Marine Museum. “It recognizes that everyone is a valued part of the community and should be able to participate fully while being treated with dignity and respect.”
Approximately 28 per cent of Port Colborne’s population is made up of residents over the age of 65. As that population continues to grow, ensuring access to programs and services remains a key priority for the City of Port Colborne.
That vision is supported by the Port Colborne Seniors Advisory Committee, which is volunteer-led and works closely with the City to ensure seniors’ needs are reflected in community planning and decision-making.
“We identify opportunities to develop policies, services, and structures that help seniors live safely, stay healthy, and remain active members of the community,” explained McDowell. “The Seniors Advisory Committee has worked to expand programs, information, and support for the community.”
As both a local senior and Vice-Chair of the Port Colborne Seniors Advisory Committee, Michael Cooper also emphasized that the committee plays an important role in ensuring older adults have a meaningful voice in community planning and decision-making.
“I want to be able to ensure that seniors are included in the City's plans and in the entire community,” said Cooper. “Too often seniors have been forgotten or appeased without concern. Being a part of this committee gives us an avenue to share our ideas through our experience, professional backgrounds and previous volunteer pursuits.”
In recent years, those efforts have taken shape through a variety of initiatives funded in part by the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility through the Seniors Community Grant. The committee hosted a Seniors Expo last June, bringing together local organizations focused on older adults’ well-being, while also offering free programs such as Wellness Wednesdays, craft sessions, senior-friendly fitness classes, and educational speaker series.
For Cooper, programs like these play an important role in helping reduce isolation among seniors in Port Colborne.
McDowell said the City has also been able to offer a range of free programs and workshops while connecting seniors with local organizations such as the Ontario Caregiver Organization and the Niagara Ontario Health Team.
“The greatest impact has been on low-income seniors,” said McDowell. “Because all activities, workshops, services, and information have been offered free of charge, more seniors have been able to attend programs, take part in activities, and build connections within the community.”
Across Port Colborne, that commitment becomes visible in the places where seniors gather and connect.
At the Friends Over 55 Recreation Centre, older adults come together for exercise classes, arts, crafts, games, and social activities. Throughout the week, the centre fills with conversation and laughter, reflecting a strong sense of community and a place where they can feel at home.
Such initiatives have made a lasting difference for the Port Colborne community. Free Tai Chi classes introduced at the Vale Health & Wellness Centre quickly became popular and are now a permanent offering, creating a space for seniors to stay active while connecting with others.
“The classes give seniors a chance to stay active, meet others, and remain engaged in the community at no cost,” McDowell said. “Their popularity led the Recreation and Tourism Department, in partnership with the YMCA, to continue offering them every Tuesday.”
That sense of care also extends beyond individual programs, shaping a broader community where connection and inclusion are felt throughout.
“Port Colborne is fortunate to have strong local supports in place,” McDowell explains, pointing to organizations like Port Cares, Bridges Community Centre, and the Friends Over 55 Centre. “These reflect the community’s commitment to seniors’ well-being.”
Cooper reinforced this, highlighting activity programs for health and wellness, Meals on Wheels for nutrition and social connection, and services offered through Port Cares and the Friends Over 55 Centre that help keep seniors active and engaged.
As the City continues to grow, so too does its focus on creating new opportunities for seniors while ensuring Port Colborne remains an accessible, age-friendly community for all residents.
While Port Colborne’s recognition as an Age-Friendly Community marks an important achievement, it also reflects an ongoing commitment rather than a final destination.
As Seniors Month is celebrated across the province this June, Port Colborne’s efforts go beyond programs or recognition. Everyday connections and a strong sense of belonging help seniors enjoy a small-town experience in a big way, while making a meaningful difference in their lives.
Community members interested in learning more about programs and initiatives for seniors can visit the City’s website at www.portcolborne.ca/seniors or drop in to City Hall for a chat with the City’s Customer Service team for additional information.
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