Rob Hood stays in shape in the community centre weight room
Oliver Parks and Recreation is offering some new programs such as Kids Craft Corner, Arty Smarty, Mini Iron Chefs, and a sculpture class.
Program manager Katie Eaton reported that all new adult fitness classes are full, with some having a wait list.
People losing it
The fifth annual Lose it for Life (Biggest Loser) program is more popular than ever.
Registration for the 12-week program was a “huge” success, according to program manager Katie Eaton.
More than 65 people have registered (28 more participants than last year’s intake).
A lot of pancakes
Breakfast With Santa sold 80 tickets in advance, while many people paid at the door.
Parks and Recreation fed more than 300 people at the event.
Thanks were given to Larry Larson for playing the role of Santa, and the SOSS band for playing Christmas music. And to Oliver Elementary students for singing their hearts out.
Winter Wonderland a success
More than 300 people attended the Winter Wonderland skate prior to Christmas.
SuperValu generously donated gingerbread cookies and candy for the event.
Kudos went to organizer Kyle Fossett.
Volunteers donate 1079 hours
Parks and Recreation Manager Carol Sheridan reported that volunteers donated a “staggering” amount of hours in 2014.
She noted that volunteers played a major role in the success of the department last year.
For example, the fitness room volunteer program clocked over 800 hours supervising the weight room and providing valuable feedback on equipment.
“Special events such as the Easter egg hunt and Scareview would not be possible without volunteers.”
In 2014 more than 260 hours were logged by people assisting at these events.
A special volunteer appreciation breakfast is planned for Friday, April 34 at the Oliver Community Centre during National Volunteer Week.
Join the Bead Trail
The Parks and Recreation department has joined the Bead Trail this year.
Starting this spring staff will be selling bracelets and a unique bead to represent the organization.
Approximately 22 businesses in Oliver are participating, many of them wineries.
Reports indicate a considerable increase in visitors looking to collect the beads.
End of November hectic time
The electrical upgrade to the community hall on November 25 created some headaches for staff and program members.
FortisBC shut down the power that day and Argon Electric replaced all electrical equipment. But due to heavy snowfall overnight, Fortis crews were so busy restoring power elsewhere that it could not reconnect the power to the community hall until November 28. This extended the closure for an additional three days.
Staff worked tirelessly to assist user groups and program instructors find alternate locations for classes and events.
Bridge over troubled culvert
The old bridge between the curling centre parking lot and the Oliver Multicultural Centre was removed last fall due to unsafe conditions.
Public Works manager Shawn Goodsell confirmed that crews would either extend the culvert or build a new bridge in the spring of 2015.
New chip reader installed
A new chip reader and associated hardware for the weight room was installed recently.
Members were scheduled to have new key fob access.
Office staff previously contacted all past weight room members to inform them that all keys held by expired pass holders must be returned.
Many keys were returned in the last few weeks of December, but several keys remain outstanding.
Hockey skills program underway
A new, eight-week hockey skills development program has begun at the Oliver arena.
This program is the first of its kind for Parks and Recreation as it involves busing participants from Oliver schools to the arena on Mondays.
Twenty-five participants are registered for the 90-minute skills development session.
Local coaches such as Anthony Ruck, Thierry Martine and Jay Gabriel are volunteering their time.
