A program aimed at getting young kids out for a night of fun games and sports in Arrowsmith Coombs Country is back for another session and organizers are hoping to get the word out about the free program.
The Youth Drop-in Games and Sports’ Night program resumes on January 18 and will run for 10 weeks until March 21. Every Wednesday night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., kids aged 11 to 18 are invited to hang out and have some fun in the Arrowsmith Activity building on the Coombs Fairgrounds.
The Arrowsmith Community Enhancement Society (ACES) facilitates the program as part of its mission to engage and mobilize residents and hopefully enhance the quality of life for everyone living within the Arrowsmith Community which encompasses the neighbourhoods of Errington, Coombs, Hilliers, Whiskey Creek and Meadowood.
David Fisher along with Blake Anderson volunteer as leaders for sports and game night.
Fisher brings his son along and said in the last session all the kids had a great time and hopefully more kids will come out and join the fun. He said the program is loosely structured and although they offer things like floor hockey, soccer and basketball, there is no pressure to be a super athlete. He said the activities are more for fun so that kids of all skill levels can feel good about participating.
“We create a vibe that is more about getting everyone involved. We make it so that everyone can participate,” he stated.
Fisher said every kid has a different reason for being there but most of all by keeping them busy it keeps them out of trouble.
He said ACES does a good job of bridging the generations in the community by offering a lot of great affordable programs for all ages.
“It’s good for the community and the kids. It’s a win win situation,” he stated.
Fisher’s wife Sarah Oliver is also involved with ACES offering affordable yoga in the community.
Her winter yoga program got up an and running last week and will go until March 1. On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15 until 10:30 a.m. Oliver welcomes adults and tweens to her Hatha yoga classes which are suitable for all levels.
She said she wanted to offer the classes in the Arrowsmith Hall on the Coombs Fairgrounds at a reasonable rate so they would be affordable and accessible to people in the community. She said the location in the heart of Coombs works well for people who don’t have a car. She added it is healthy for people to get out and get plugged into their community, otherwise they can become isolated.
“It brings people together in the community. Not only do they feel good about strengthening their bodies but they also get to connect with other people in the community,” she said.
Oliver offered the yoga classes in the fall and said she got really good feedback from those who participated and a lot of them have returned for the winter session.
