The Leisure Services department of the City of North Battleford has acknowledged the support of a number of area service clubs for its free public skating program.
According to figures from the City, 147 hours of free ice programming at the Civic Centre and at Don Ross Arena were provided for this season.
The service clubs recognized are Bonaventure Lions Club, North Battleford Lions Club, Kiwanis Club of the Battlefords, North Battleford Kinsmen Club, The Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 70, North West Hockey Development, Rotary Club of the Battlefords, North Battleford Elks Club and St. Joseph’s Knights of Columbus No. 7336. Representatives for most of the organizations were on hand Thursday at noon to receive a gift of blankets from Leisure Services as a token of their appreciation.
North Battleford Mayor Ryan Bater and Siobhan Gormley of the Leisure Services department were there to pay tribute to the efforts of the service clubs for making the free skating available to the public.
“It’s a chance, regardless of peoples’ backgrounds or their circumstance, to be able to come and enjoy recreation services like skating, so it’s really important,” said Bater. “I’m thrilled that these organizations have seen value in this, year after year, that they’re willing to continue with this.”
Public skating takes place at the Civic Centre on Saturdays between 12:15 and 1:45 p.m. Preschool and senior skating is offered Wednesdays between 1:15 and 2:15 p.m. at the Civic Centre and at Don Ross Arena on Thursdays between 10 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 and 2:30p.m. There are also additional public skating times.
According to the City’s numbers a total of 2,842 children and adults participated in the free skating program this year.
