INNISFAIL – The town is helping people stay active this winter.
Thanks to several drop-in sports and activities ranging from pickleball to rock climbing, Innisfail residents have a variety of activities to choose from at an affordable rate.
“It’s low cost and it doesn’t require a huge commitment,” said Kane Williams, recreation program coordinator for the town. “If they enjoy it, they can keep coming back.
“We try to build good programs that let people come and use public facilities when it works for them,” he added.
Drop-in sports offered each fall and winter include badminton, volleyball, basketball, swimming, pickleball, public skating, climbing and shinny. The latter is offered to adults twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m.
Such activities allow families and individuals to try a new sport or continue one they already enjoy, noted Williams, adding facilities at the Arena, aquatic centre and the gymnasiums at Innisfail Middle School and Innisfail High School are used for the drop-in sports.
“They can invite friends out and meet new people through the drop-in programs,” said Williams. “This is a chance for people that might not want to register for something or pay the full cost of having to do a rental.
“It’s just an opportunity that if they decide they want to come and try something out, it’s there for them,” he said.
The indoor drop-in sports are also a great way to stay active during the cold winter months.
“You never know what the weather is going to be like outside, so for at least a couple of hours a day people can come out,” he said, noting most programs run during the fall (September to December) and winter (January to April) months.
“When the weather is terrible outside, it’s nice to know that there’s always somewhere you can come to be active during the winter,” said Williams.
“We want to try and minimize as many barriers to not being active as possible,” he added.
For most sports, equipment and accessories are provided, said Williams.
“We provide volleyballs and nets and same thing with the climbing. We provide harnesses, the shoes and we can provide instruction,” explained Williams. “With badminton and pickleball we’ll also make sure there’s birdies, paddles and rackets.”
He noted the popularity of many of the drop-in sports in Innisfail.
“I think there’s been an awesome response for a lot of our drop-in sports and activities,” said Williams.
For more information visit the Innisfail Recreation and Culture page on Facebook.
