With the support of the City of Winnipeg, NCSA (North Centennial Seniors Association of Winnipeg, Inc.), operates from the Sergeant Tommy Prince Place in Winnipeg.
The City of Winnipeg maintains the building and the space occupied by the NCSA. The NCSA received financial support from the City’s Community Services Department for certified fitness instructors conducting the pool activities and NCSA’s membership takes on the financial responsibility to retain the dryland-certified instructors.
New Horizons for Seniors Program – Community-based projects.
In 2022/23, NCSA was the recipient of a “New Horizons for Seniors Program” grant from the Government of Canada. This grant was received in the year that the NCSA celebrated its 40th anniversary. The grant funds enabled NCSA to continue with the “Grandma and Grandpa” Swim Program along with the continuation of the exercise programs and the acquisition of office supplies, printers, storage space, kitchen tools and equipment.
The kids at four surrounding community daycares can’t wait for Tuesday mornings. That’s when they get to spend fun one-on-one time with their NCSA “grandma” or “grandpa” playing with pool noodles, kicking and splashing, and riding in a floating car, the kids have a great time and their laughter echoes through the pool. And, the smiles are just as big on the faces of the seniors who volunteer for the weekly program.
North Centennial Seniors Association has been offering the program for more than 40 years and the sessions help kids gain confidence in the water, provide a safe environment for healthy activity and allow them to build strong relationships with caring individuals.
It wouldn’t be possible without the commitment of the community. The City of Winnipeg provides the pool space and lifeguards at no charge, and the seniors volunteer their time (some of them have been doing so almost since the program began). A grant from The Winnipeg Foundation this year helped cover the cost of a bus to transport the kids.
The program has won awards for community service, both from the City and the Province. But, for organizers and volunteers, the biggest reward comes in the form of laughter, hugs and happy memories.
The North Centennial Seniors Association of Winnipeg Inc. became a new member of the Manitoba Association of Senior Centres (MASC) in April 2022. The MASC provides a network to other senior centres in Winnipeg and in rural Manitoba.
MASC provided the NCSA a grant in 2022 for intergenerational activities. The NCSA utilized the grant in support of its Grandma & Grandpa Swim Program.
In 2021, the NCSA was the recipient of a Province of Manitoba Bridge Grant. This grant is to be used to recover from the shutdown related to COVID. The club was shut down from March 17, 2020 to October 2, 2021 due to COVID restrictions. Expenses still accrued (eg. telephone, insurance) and fundraising efforts were cancelled resulting in a loss of revenues.
In June 2022: The NCSA approved reallocating funds from the “Healthy Together Now” fund from arts to purchase urban walking poles. This newly introduced activity has proven to be extremely popular with our members after being introduced through the Point Douglas Coalition and the Active Aging in Manitoba/Manitoba 55+ Games.
December 2021: The NCSA was the recipient of a grant from the “Healthy Together Now” fund. This grant is to provide financial support for activities which will encourage members to return for exercise programs following the 2020/2021 shutdown due to COVID.
In 2019 the NCSA was the recipient of a grant from the “Healthy Together Now” fund. This grant was used to enhance NCSA members’ health by promoting mental and physical opportunities to ensure they remain independent and vital within the community”.
Update December 2021: The NCSA received a subsidization grant to assist the club with costs related to COVID recovery.
January, 2020: The Grandma and Grandpa Swim Program were very fortunate to receive another one-year grant for 2020/2021 from the Circle of Life Endowment Fund to cover expenditures related to the swim program.
March, 2020: The North Centennial Seniors Association of Winnipeg Inc. has received a one-time grant from the Winnipeg Foundation’s Gray Family Fund for the purchase of a new stove.
April, 2020: The Grandma and Grandpa Swim Program has received support from the Shirley and Don McQueen Fund for expenses supporting this activity.
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