Spring may be slow to arrive, but that isn’t stopping the Chestermere Rec Centre from gearing up for the season with activities for all ages.
Right now, there is everything from toddler soccer to senior nights coming up, so there is something for everyone in Chestermere who wants to get active or even just social.
The goal is to get people active and introduce them to new sports, which is happening with things such as sportball (a variety of sports skills taught), ringette and netball.
“We’re really trying to look at more drop-in opportunities, especially for youth and teens,” said Vicki Klinger, the recreation program and summer day camp co-ordinator for the Chestermere Regional Community Association.
“They can just pay the $5 and come in. We tried a drop-in basketball program. It’s really cool that you can just come by, talk to the people who are running it and see what’s going on.
“A few weeks ago we had 40 kids there on a Friday night. A lot of teens. We had to break it into two age groups. What that shows me is kids are looking for something to do on a Friday night because in Chestermere there isn’t that much to do. If we can find opportunities for them, and take down those barriers, then it’s better for everyone.”
There is drop-in ringette on Tuesdays and netball (a form of basketball without dribbling) on Sundays, but some of the activities don’t have much sports involvement at all.
On April 20, there is a Friday Night Friends, where families with special needs children can connect while the kids play. On April 27 there is a Jelly Bean Dance for kids from Grades 3-9.
And there are two Family Game Nights planned — May 4 and June 15 — both on Friday nights, meant to get Chestermere residents to connect over video games and other activities, some of which have yet to be determined.
“We’re trying to think of ideas around that, so that if you are waiting to play there might be board games or something like that to keep you occupied,” Klinger said. “It’s just good to have a Friday night where families can get together and game regularly. We want to have a social setting.”
The dances have proven to be popular in the past.
“The lowest one we’ve ever done had 30 kids there, but we’ve had up to 330 kids, so you never know who will come,” Klinger said. “It’s a social opportunity for kids to get together and have something to do without mom and dad there.”
