A number of local service clubs were recognized last week for their participation in sponsoring public skating programs this season.
Nine service clubs were recognized by the City of North Battleford, who note their support has allowed them to provide a number of programs at the City's arenas free of charge.
The service clubs stepping forward 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. Josephs Knights of Columbus No. 7336.
Representatives from the clubs were recognized at an event at the Civic Centre on Thursday afternoon. There, representatives were presented with City notepads as a token of appreciation.
The programs they are sponsoring are Monday evening public skating at the Civic Centre, pre-school skating Wednesdays at the Civic Centre, pre-school skating at Don Ross Arena on Thursday mornings and afternoons, and extra holiday public skating including at Christmas and during spring break.
There are plans to add more free public skating days for kids on professional development days or on other days where there is no school scheduled.
Recreation services manager Robin Langille told reporters the "support of the service clubs offsets the cost of ice time ..."
For some users, this will be the only time they will have an opportunity to go out on the ice or be involved in sports such as hockey or figure skating. The funding from the service clubs allows people to participate in skating without having to worry about the costs involved.
"Really all they need is skates," said Langille.
He notes that the free programs are well utilized, with turnouts of 50 to 100 people at the Civic Centre for the Monday evening skates.
Last season, the City, with the support of the service clubs, provided 158 hours of free ice programming at the three city rinks. The number of people who participated last year is estimated at 5,692.
The closure of the Agriplex for this season has had an impact, however, as the free shinny hockey offered on Saturday evenings is not being offered this year.
