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Active 55+

Seniors' Recreation Opportunities

The City of Sault Ste. Marie offers a variety of programs and services through its Active 55+ Seniors Active Living Centres, supporting older adults in leading vibrant, healthy, and social lives.

We proudly operate two full-time centres:

Explore our program guide to discover a wide range of recreation opportunities designed for seniors. Ready to register? Call us at 705-254-6474 — we’re happy to help. 

Fall Guide 2025
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FAQ's

Our Active 55+ programs offer a wide variety of activities designed to support the health, well-being, and social connection of older adults. We provide opportunities across several categories, including:

Fitness & Health – gentle exercise, stretching, and wellness classes

Sports – fun, low-impact activities like pickleball, shuffleboard & soccer

Cards, Games, Hobbies & Tech – social card games, music, and basic technology support

Needlecraft & Quilting – relaxed sessions for sewing, knitting, and quilting

Arts & Crafts – creative classes in painting, crafting, and more

Events & Talks – social gatherings, Bingos, guest speakers, and seasonal events

Programs are designed with a range of interests and ability levels in mind, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Although some programs are offered as a Drop-In Fee, we do require pre-registration to attend any type of program. Please call 705-254-6474 to sign up or for more information or register Online.

Application Under Section 357 (1)(d.1) – Sickness or Extreme Poverty 

Council for the City of Sault Ste. Marie has authorized the Assessment Review Board (ARB), an independent tribunal established by the Province of Ontario to hear and determine sickness and extreme poverty appeals as per By-Law 2023-3. 

The ARB reviews these applications and supporting documents and will decide if you are entitled to a reduction or cancellation of taxes and will determine the actual tax adjustment amount.

This application must be made to the ARB no later than February 28 of the year following the taxation year to which the application relates. Deadline to apply for the 2023 taxation year is February 29, 2024. 

The application form, along with additional information, can be found online through Tribunals Ontario. For more information, contact the Assessment Review Board at 1-866-448-2248.  

For Seniors and Persons with Disabilities 

Low-income seniors and low-income disabled persons may apply for a partial deferral of property taxes pursuant to By-law 2001-58. Application for tax relief must be made annually to establish eligibility or confirm continued eligibility.
 
The deferred amount will establish a lien on the property which must be paid prior to any transfer of ownership.
 
Tax relief shall be in the form of a deferral of part of a tax increase on your property. The annual amount of the deferral will be calculated by the Finance Department of the City of Sault Ste. Marie. Your tax bill is not being eliminated.
 
You will be required to pay the first $50 of any tax increase. The balance of the tax increase will be deferred if you qualify for the program.
 
No interest is charged on the deferred balance.
 
Annual eligible amounts shall be deferred until the subject property is transferred, sold, bequeathed or otherwise disposed of by an eligible person at which time the total deferred amount including any part year portions shall become due and payable to the City.
 
If an eligible person for whom tax relief has been granted ceases to be an eligible person under this program, all amounts previously deferred, including any part year portions will become due and payable to the City.
 
If the property is transferred or disposed of, or a person ceases to be an eligible person and the amount required to be paid to the City has not been paid, then the interest charged on any amount not so paid shall be the same interest rate charged by the City on arrears of taxes from the date that the repayment was due.
 
You must apply annually for relief to remain eligible for the program. The application is available online. Please call the Tax Office at 705-759-5290 for additional information.

Many of the programs offered through Active 55+ would not be possible without the dedication and commitment of our volunteers.

From games, arts and crafts, health and wellness, fitness, music, cooking and recreation, there are lots of opportunities to get involved. If you’re interested in volunteering, please submit an application form via email to active55+@cityssm.on.ca or in person at the Bay Street Active Living Centre 55+ (619 Bay Street).

Please note: all volunteers must be 16 years of age or older.

Volunteer Form

Bay Street Active Living Centre

Open Monday to Friday – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evening and weekend bookings by request.

The Bay Street Active Living Centre is a fully accessible facility, housing an auditorium, kitchen, lounge, craft room, games room, wellness studio, HAM radio room and two multi-purpose rooms.

The Centre is easily accessible by car or city bus; there is an enclosed bus shelter at the front of the facility and parking is available at the rear of the building off Russ Ramsay Way. Accessible parking is available.

Northern Community Centre Active 55+

 Seniors programs are offered Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The facility includes a multi-purpose room, meeting room, kitchen, and a dedicated quilting room.

Seniors also benefit from access to the Centre’s two large 100’ x 200’ indoor turf fields, which support a variety of activities such as indoor soccer, chipping & putting and RC auto and aircraft flying. Additionally, the attached Twin-Pad Arena features a rubberized walking track, available year-round for indoor walking.

The Centre is easily accessible by car or city bus. Accessible parking is available.

Walking Schedule

The twin-pad facility at the NCC is open for indoor walking on Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed Statutory Holidays).

The Centre is easily accessible by car or city bus. Accessible parking is available.

GFL Memorial Gardens Walking Schedule

Active 55+ Volunteer Application

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