Armstrong and Spallumcheen residents could be swimming earlier and skating later.
Armstrong Spallumcheen Parks and Recreation has announced that stronger sales projections for April will result in the ice at the Nor-Val Sports Centre staying in longer.
“They ran the ice a little longer this year and they’re now thinking of doing that again next season,” said Spallumcheen Coun. Joe Van Tienhoven,a township representative to the Armstrong Spallumcheen Parks and Recreation board.
“They had the ice booked up and did quite well because of that. It’s proven to be a good plan to keep the ice in longer.”
Of course, keeping the ice in longer was helped along by the run of the KIJHL’s North Okanagan Knights to the league final.
The target for ice sales in April was projected to be $4,361 but actual figures showed the number at $6,848.
With a new boiler ready to be installed, parks and recreation is hoping for an early opening for the pool, which usually opens on the May long weekend.
“The new boiler should keep people coming in,” said Van Tienhoven.
The pool and sports centre are just two reasons why Armstrong Spallumcheen Parks and Recreation has enjoyed a successful season.
The Hassen Arena has been utilized by the always-popular public roller skating, roller derby, drop-in lacrosse over the winter and zumba classes.
An indoor skateboard park set up in one of the barns at the Interior Provincial Exhibition has been torn down, but not before it became well utilized over the winter by board enthusiasts.
Horticultural and cattle buildings are rented weekly at the IPE.
“Parks and recreation is very proactive in trying to get all of our facilities used,” said Van Tienhoven. “Most parks and recreation departments don’t have as many diverse buildings as we do. We have quite an opportunity to rent out things.”
