Thanks to all those who came out to swim, learn, play and exercise at the Oliver pool this season.
It was a beautiful summer to be in an outdoor pool and the aquatic staff did an excellent job instructing fitness and Red Cross lessons as well as keeping our patrons safe. Special thanks to head lifeguard Jen Casorso and assistant head lifeguard Megan Seidler for their leadership and efforts for a smooth operation this year.
After a final public swim and “Doggy Swim” under sunny skies on Saturday, Sept. 13, the pool is now closed for the season and will reopen in May 2015.
Fall in the South Okanagan is such an amazing time to get out and get active in our local parks and along the hike and bike trail. Running and cycling along the river dike or around the path at Community Park is an excellent way to relieve stress and burn calories. Those with canoes, kayaks and paddleboards can access Tucelnuit Lake via Rotary Park and beach for a fabulous paddle on a non-motorized lake with a gorgeous view of McIntyre Bluff.
Children can burn off energy while having a blast at the playground equipment in all four parks (Rotary, Lion’s, Kinsmen and Community Park). A reminder of “dog etiquette” in the parks as we move into the cooler months:
Please keep your pets on a leash at all times while in the parks. The only exception to this would be the scheduled off-leash times and locations as listed in Animal Control Bylaw 1224 (available at www.oliver.ca ) and the off-leash portion of Community Park (ball diamonds 4 and 5).
“Off-leash” does not mean out of your control. Please respect other park users by always ensuring dogs are under direct charge and control of a responsible person.
Please pick up after your pet. While we attempt to keep our dog stands in the parks stocked with bags for emergencies, it is the responsibility of the pet owner to pack along bags and use them to keep our parks clean.
The recreation facility attendants will be out mowing and maintaining these parks all this month until our official park closing date which is immediately following the much anticipated “Festival of the Grape” which takes place Sunday, Oct. 5.
At this time the washroom buildings in the parks will be winterized and locked up for the season. We will be adding a portable washroom unit at Lion’s Park for the winter months, and for washroom access in the Community Centre complex after October 6 patrons are welcome to use the washrooms at the Oliver arena.
Speaking of the Oliver arena, the ice is in and ready to go! Our regular ice schedule, including noon hour public skating, parent and tot drop-in time, tykes lessons, family shinny hockey and Tues/Wed morning drop-in hockey, starts this week and the ice looks great.
Our friends at the Oliver Lion’s Club will once again be sponsoring free public skating and skate rentals on Saturday and Sundays 5:30-6:45 pm.
We are looking to hire two or three skate attendants for the 2014/15 season; see our website for employment opportunities. The South Okanagan Figure Skating and South Okanagan Minor Hockey programs also start this week and there are adult hockey teams looking for more players. For the arena schedule and links to other organizations please visit our website at www.oliverrecreation.ca or give us a call at 250-498-4985.
Our office hours have now been extended to better serve our customers. You can now visit the recreation office until 8 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays until December 17.
Carol Sheridan
Special to the Chronicle
