Adventures await for Greater Vernon youth and seniors.
Recreation services is operating a new bus that will transport children to programs, while the Halina Seniors Centre will also use it for activities.
“Already the bus has been used tremendously,” said Patrick Nicol, Regional District of North Okanagan chairperson.
“The kids will benefit, as will seniors.”
The $84,560, 21-passenger vehicle was purchased with $50,000 from Kalamalka Rotary, $25,000 from the federal government and the remainder from RDNO.
“We want to be proactive and reach into the heart of the community and assist families,” said Beth Marks, Kal Rotary past-president, of why the project was funded.
The co-operative effort to put the bus on the road has the full backing of Colin Mayes, Okanagan-Shuswap MP.
“It’s important to work with the community to meet those needs,” he said.
Recreation services will use the bus to transport youth to summer camps and to pick up kids after school and take them to recreational programs.
“There are already programs planned for the fall,” said Doug Ross, recreation services manager.
“The kids will be able to participate in sports they otherwise wouldn’t be able to.”
KidSport is a participant in the initiative.
The Vernon Seniors Recreational Society, which operates the Halina Centre, expects the bus will be kept busy.
“Once a month, our members go out on tours,” said Rosemary O’Neal, with the society.
“When seniors can’t get out for our New Year’s or Christmas parties, we can then pick them up and bring them in.”
