The new Battlefords Co-op Aquatic Centre offers a bigger facility with more capabilities, and now they're offering programs that make use of it.
Over the last few months the aquatic centre has hosted events such as cardboard boat races, scuba diving and day camps.
"We've tried to increase the offering. We've got more facility to utilize, we've got more capability. The potential is really limitless here, we can do so many things we couldn't do in the old facility," said Dennis McCullough, supervisor at the aquatic centre.
Now, water polo, underwater hockey and canoeing and kayaking are also available.
"We're all paying for it, let's use it," said McCullough.
The programs have been offered for most of the summer. Every Tuesday, water polo sessions are held. This week, a coach from Water Polo Saskatchewan was on hand to instruct the four students in how to properly teach the basics of the game.
The group went over swimming techniques, how to give and receive a pass and how to shoot. Once they receive their certification, the group will be able to teach provincially, which helps the aquatic centre run more programs in the future and develop water polo players.
"The idea was to get people thinking about it and then come on out and give it a try and see what it's like to try and pick up a ball when it's wet and slippery and your hand's wet and slippery. It ain't like football," said McCullough.
Water polo and canoeing/kayaking sessions have had as many as five participants and underwater hockey clinics have had upwards of 10.
McCullough said the ages have ranged from 12 to 60.
"All coming out, all having fun, giving it a try at their own pace. We don't want to eliminate anybody because they feel they're too old or they can't keep up the pace," he said.
The canoeing and kayaking sessions runs Wednesdays from 8 to 10 a.m. Participants learn the basics, but there's also the chance to use the full potential of the aquatic centre to make for a more advanced lesson. McCullough would like to get the waves going for a moving water clinic at some point.
"We could teach kayaking and canoeing in the old facility, but we couldn't add the waves, we couldn't add the beach type entry. So, all of the sudden it's a whole bigger game," he said.
Underwater hockey has been especially popular, combining Canada's favourite pastime with relief from summer heat by jumping in the water.
"It just seems to catch everybody's imagination and away it goes from there," said McCullough.
Those sessions are Thursdays from 1 to 2 p.m.
