Winter is coming.
Those at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre will be preaching a few “Game of Thrones” truisms as the Winter 2015 Active Living and Community Resource Guide is now available.
In terms of new programs the city is offering, kids’ yoga headlines a plethora of exciting opportunities for residents of all ages to get involved with.
“We’ve got kids’ yoga [for families] in two different age groups: 3 to 5 and then 6 to 11 and Karen Cruz is teaching both of them,” said Kendal Sheppard, aquatic leader and program coordinator at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre.
“Mandy Lawson gave us a good start out of the gate [for the idea] and Karen would like to continue with those sessions with that introduction and fundraiser [back in the fall].”
Following in the fitness trend, Kristin Beintema-Barre will be leading group and private fitness orientations in the weight area and a nutritional workshop so it’s all about eating right and staying positive and healthy in your choices of food,” he said.
Kerrie Kennedy, a new addition to the civic centre’s list of program instructors, will run mini bootcamps as well.
Under the educational umbrella, fabric arts will be making its introduction under the guidance of Mavis Glencross where she’ll be dying and working with colouring techniques for ages 8 and up and even bringing sewing to the list of programs for participants aged 8 to 16.
Mike Trim will add his expertise with the CORE program — the Conservation Outdoor Recreation Education — for those interested in gaining their first B.C. resident hunting licence.
Volleyball, pottery, and a lifeguard apprenticeship program are some options not in the current guide, but programs that Sheppard is looking forward to hopefully unveiling to the public in the near future.
“We just had two volleyball sessions just to try it out and 16 people showed up [last] Tuesday and we had 11 [on Wednesday] so with a week’s notice that’s pretty good,” said Sheppard, who is looking for anyone interested in starting up the program to talk to staff at the civic centre.
“Our child daycare is operating in the mornings and evenings and it’s licensed so you can be subsidized.”
Consistently strong programs include noon hour and Wednesday and Sunday night badminton, rock climbing and Nifty Fifties walking and exercise club. Among independent leagues that are striving are the new Prince Rupert Gymnastics Association, Friday night C-league basketball and beginners’ hockey.
Sheppard encourages those interested in any programs to register as opposed to paying the drop-in fees.
“There are many benefits to registering. You get a cheaper rate and we have your contact, so if a cancellation happens we can quickly phone those registered,” he said.
On Saturday, staff at the civic centre will officially be unveiling the sea otter murals that have been painted on the rereation centre’s outdoor walls over the fall.
The presentation will coincide with Ridley Terminals’ Community Day at the centre from noon to 4 p.m. for free swimming, basketball, badminton, hotdogs and juice, skating and a family movie.
For more information about the recreational guide, look for it in Friday’s Northern Connector and online currently at www.thenorthernview.com or www.princerupert.ca.