Recreation Director Sam Dyck said they run different programs during this time of the year, with some of them just getting started up again, and a few new ones on the go as well.
“We try to keep enough activities in town to keep community members fit,” Dyck stated. “We do happen to have a lot of programs in the community that are not run through the Rec office, which is fine by me, but it makes it hard to think of new things.”
Zumba classes were running before the Yuletide season, and have started up again. They run on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Because of the work in the school this year, it has been difficult to get too many programs running, but with the small gym open again, adult volleyball, a popular choice not only for locals but for people in the larger area, will be returning to Thursday evenings, starting January 17. It runs until the end of April. Dyck said they are also hoping to start some regular yoga classes in the near future.
There are new activities on the horizon. The Rec Commission received a grant for Drums Alive, and is presently looking to have an instructor certified. This involves a big inflatable ball that participants can pound on, usually to music, for good exercise. They have 30 balls, stands and drumsticks. Although usually associated with seniors, Dyck said it could appeal to anyone. Her hope is to run a program in a designated space as well as take some of the equipment to seniors’ homes to help keep those residents fit and active.
“Hopefully, you could have 10 balls you could blow up and deflate and take to places like Evergreen and Westview and keep the rest blown up and keep them where you put the program on. I’m hoping we can do that very soon.”
She and some community members are working on a future possibility as well. They have applied for a grant to purchase 25 sets of junior skis and 18 adult skis, as well as a groomer to pull behind a snowmobile or quad, to start up a cross-country ski program. Dyck said they do not have a route planned as of yet, but are looking at something in town, probably around the ball diamonds. Kids, adults or the school could rent the skis and use that trail, or take them to the Provincial Park or Peace Garden. The whens and ifs will depend on the grant.
“It would be good if we can get it up and running.”
Having the gyms available in the school is helpful for that institution as well. Principal Stephanie Emberly said they still have phys. ed. up through grade 12, and they feel their high school program helps set students up for a lifetime of fitness. As well as their formal sports teams, they have intramurals at lunchtime in which kids can participate. Student government and advisory groups plan physically active times, and the stage is set up as a mini-gym with treadmills, weights and ellipticals.
Skating and gymnastics coach Carol Light knows how important it is to keep fit and to get kids into those habits, as she has spent a lot of time pushing exactly that. She said the stats are not good for Canadian youth as she found recently at a Physical Literacy Session. It is important to get the kids out and moving.
“Providing opportunities for youth to get active will help instill the importance and love of being active as they get older,” Light explained, “creating healthier, more physically active adults. Whether it be the rec hockey league they join or just getting outside to build a snowman with their kids.”
Light said people in Boissevain are very fortunate that there are a lot of activities for kids in every season. But it does start at home. Despite having an active family, she is still making it a priority to go outside with her kids even if it is just for a walk or to make snow angels in the yard. It can be difficult after a long day at work or school, and there is little daylight at this time of year, but it is important and ultimately rewarding.
In the computer age, it can be a challenge. Kids are being brought up in front of a screen more and more, which makes keeping them moving daunting. But Light feels children are physically active by nature, and we just need to bring it out.
“If you can move your body, you can be physically active. Yes, screen time can be enticing for kids but that is a learned behavior – you are not born with the ability to sit and watch a screen; you are born with the ability to move. You are active when you are born, so there is no time too early to be active.”
Light does feel kids need unstructured play time as well as programming. They need to try all kinds of different sports and activities and develop their motor skills before becoming too sport-specific. She feels a lot of it is really about building a lifestyle throughout the family. She also feels that there might be a higher level of physical activity here than in the country at large.
“I think our community does a fantastic job of staying active with the registration numbers in sport programming and the number of kids that continue with sport throughout their high school days and the strong women and men’s Rec programming,” Light said. “I would say we have a great foundation for active lifestyles right here in Boissevain.”
The Rec Commission runs programs throughout the year, including the pool and pool-specific activities. There is also the walking trail around town and activities like bocce ball sets to rent at the office. Dyck said they are always open to new ideas.
“It is important to keep active,” Dyck said. “We’re open to new suggestions. If there are ideas people want to see, they can let me know.”
Keeping fit part programs, part mentality
by PAUL RAYNER Recorder staff