By battlefordsNOW

City thanks local service clubs for sponsoring public skating

Jan 6, 2017 | 12:00 AM

The City of North Battleford celebrated the public skating program Thursday and thanked the sponsors who keep it free for all residents.

Representatives of several service clubs gathered at the Don Ross Arena on Jan. 5 with Mayor Ryan Bater and Siobhan Gormley of leisure services.

Bater said the program is important to the city, as it means anybody can enjoy the city’s facilities and go skating free of charge.

“There are a lot of families and a lot of people who, because of their circumstances, may not have the option of participating in a formal skating program, so it’s a chance regardless of people’s background and circumstance to be able to come and enjoy recreation services like skating,” he said. “I’m thrilled these organizations have seen value in this year over year and that they’re willing to continue this.”

Gormley said that thanks to the clubs’ donations to the public skating program, 2,842 residents enjoyed 147 hours of free ice time during the 2016 season.

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“We definitely promote healthy living and staying active in our winter months,” Gormley said. “We want to give our residents lots of opportunities for programming in North Battleford and this is a great opportunity to come out and get a little exercise and have some free family fun.”

The clubs honoured for sponsoring the free skating program were the Bonaventure Lions Club, North Battleford Lions Club, Kiwanis Club of the Battlefords, North Battleford Kinsmen Club, Royal Canadian Legion No. 70, North West Hockey Development, Rotary Club of the Battlefords, North Battleford Elks Club, and St. Joseph Knights of Columbus.

Public skating is offered on Saturdays from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Civic Centre and holidays when kids are off school. Pre-school and senior skating is offered at the Civic Centre Wednesdays from 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. and at the Don Ross Arena Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Sarah Rae is a reporter for battlefordsNOW. She can be reached at Sarah.Rae@jpbg.ca or tweet her @sarahjeanrae.