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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Anyone who might think getting older means slowing down and staying in hasn't met the seniors community in Yellowknife.

June Van Dine Arden, left, and Maureen Hall both say the community and active seniors' societies in Yellowknife are a large part of the reason they wouldn't retire anywhere else. - Candace Thomson/NNSL photo

"We have one of the most active groups across Canada here in Yellowknife," said June Van Dine Arden, who has been in the city since 1984 when she moved from the south to be a nurse at the Stanton Territorial Hospital.

"There is everything a family could want, here. It's a good place to grow old, and it's a good place to raise babies, too," she said.

Van Dine Arden was one of more than 50 people who attended the 90th birthday bash of long-time Yellowknifer Esther Braden on Monday. The party, organized by Braden's family, was hosted at the Aven Community Centre, the venue for seniors activities.

"We have walks, yoga, tai chi, bridge ..." Van Dine Arden said, trailing off as she considered why Yellowknife is such an appealing place to retire.

"When I arrived in '84 there were very few seniors, everybody moved away to retire, but everyone seems to be coming back now," she said.

When asked why, Van Dine Arden could only say why she stayed here.

"The people are the main reason to stay," she said. "Since we came here, it's all been good."

Maureen Hall, president of the Yellowknife Seniors' Society, also attended Braden's birthday party.

"I've been here for 51 years and I wouldn't retire anywhere else," said Hall.

Her position with the seniors' society gives Hall perspective on the very large, multicultural seniors community in Yellowknife.

"We have people of all varieties and nationalities here," she said. "People from all over the world."

Yellowknife Mayor Mark Heyck said Yellowknife has seen significant growth in the number of seniors staying and retiring in the city.

"We have a very active seniors' community that does a fantastic job of developing and promoting programs and services that support retirees," he stated in an e-mail. "The city also does what it can to make life more affordable for our seniors through property tax rebates, free parking and discounted rates for city programs and services."

Heyck also said family is a large part of what keeps seniors in Yellowknife.

"I think the growing number of seniors in Yellowknife also suggests that we're maturing as a community, as we're now seeing third- and fourth-generation families in the city, and there's a certain attraction for retirees in staying near their children and grandchildren."

Hall understands the growing need for seniors services as the population continues to age.

The seniors' society provides what services it can for seniors, but Hall said it doesn't get enough funding to match the growing demands.

"We can't expect seniors to go around asking for money," she said. "All we can do is get the issue known, and through that the more we can get support from the federal, territorial and municipal governments."

Housing and health care will be a priority, said Hall, who was thrilled in July when AVENS announced its campaign to build a new seniors housing facility and do a complete retrofit on Aven Manor.

The facility, which will cost an estimated $33 million is expected to be complete by May 2015, according to AVENS CEO Jeff Renaud.

In its press release, AVENS stated more than 600 beds will be needed for seniors by 2026. There are currently 176 long-term care beds in the NWT with a 19-bed waiting list.

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