Calgary community centres: Spring recreation for kids
Cabin fever got your kids squirrely? The city’s community and recreation centres have the cure in the form of recreational classes, courses and activities that are great exercise as well as just plain fun. Many affordable courses are available to youths of all ages in all corners of the city. Here’s a selection of what is available for your youngsters in the early spring of 2016.
Renfrew Aquatic and Recreation Centre
810 13 Avenue NE, Calgary, AB T2E 8A1Swimming is one of the most fun and important skills a child can learn. Kids and teenagers can acquire swimming skills by enrolling in the Swim for Life – Swimmer 1 program at the Renfrew Aquatic and Recreation Centre. Splashy skills include treading water, front and back floats as well as basic swim strokes. The seven-course sessions run March 1 to 22, March 5 to April 23 and March 7 to April 25. Visit www.calgary.ca for schedule. Cost is $47 plus GST.
Killarney Aquatic & Recreation Centre
1919 29 Street SW, Calgary, AB T3E 2J7Dive right into a new hobby at Killarney Aquatic and Recreation Centre. The facility is offering a springboard diving course for swimmers ages six to 17 who have taken the prerequisite Swim Kids Level 4, Swimmer 2, Aquaquest 5 or equivalent classes. Students will be taught the basics of springboard diving and each participant will receive instruction based on their abilities. The fee for the seven-class program is $59 plus GST. Classes run from March 14 to April 25, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Mondays.
Ralph Klein Park
12350 84 St SE, Calgary, AB T3S 0A4It’s every kid’s nature to be curious, so satisfy their interest in nature by enrolling them in the Nature of Spring Camp at Ralph Klein Park, Inglewood Bird Sanctuary or Devonian Gardens this spring break. Experienced environmental educators will use interactive nature experiences, art and theatre to entertain and educate participants aged six to 10. The four daylong sessions run March 21 to 24, 9 am to 4 pm Monday, Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday at all three locations. The fee is $180 plus GST.
Wildflower Arts Centre
3363 Spruce Dr SW, Calgary, AB T3C 3A3Kids can let all their creative juices flow in the Arts Venture course at the Wildflower Arts Centre just west of Shaganappi Golf Course. The four-session course will have kids aged 9 to 12 participate in all-day creative activities including two- and three-dimensional art, drawing, painting, mixed-media and fabric-painting projects. All supplies are provided. The course runs March 21 to 24, 9 am to 4 pm, Monday to Thursday or Tuesday through Friday. The cost is $185.40 plus GST.
Thornhill Aquatic & Recreation Centre
6715 Centre St NW, Calgary, AB T2K 4Y5Help your child become a water safety hero by enrolling them in the Swim Patrol (Rookie, Ranger, Star) program at the Thornhill Recreation Centre. The program focuses on swimming proficiency as well as first aid and rescue skills. Students aged eight to 17 will participate in timed swims, endurance swims and swimming with clothing on. The course runs March 1 through March 24, 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Cost is $67.10 plus GST.
Glenmore Aquatic Centre
5330 19 Street SW, Calgary, AB T3E 1P1Is there a better skill for kids to learn than the ability to save a life? The Junior Lifesaving Club course at the Glenmore Aquatic Centre offers children aged eight to 18 a high-energy learning environment, focusing on swimming, lifesaving, fitness knowledge, leadership and teamwork. Community involvement and competition are also part of the program. Enrollees must be able to swim 25 metres and tread water for two minutes. Classes run March 10 to April 28, 7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursdays. Fees are $113.90 plus GST.
National Golf Academy
50 50 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 5N3Help your young children get into the swing of golf by enrolling in the Family Weekend Clinic program at the National Golf Academy Dome. With their accompanying adult, beginner, novice and experienced golfers aged six to nine will improve their game starting with basic training all the way to a round on the course. Adults and children must register together. The fee is $88.08 plus GST per person. Classes are held March 12 and 19 from 12:10 pm to 1:40 pm. Details and skill level evaluation can be found at www.calgary.ca/golf, then click on gold lessons.
Village Square Leisure Centre
2623 56 Street NE, Calgary, AB T1Y 6E7The four-day Ready… Set… Escape Day Camp at the Village Square Leisure Centre will have kids ages seven to 12 participating in action-packed events such as swimming, arts and crafts, games, sports and more. The fun runs March 21 to March 24, 9 am to 4 pm, Monday, to Wednesday and Thursday. The fee is $147.10 plus GST. Your receipt will indicate swim days.
North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre
523 27 Avenue NW, Calgary, AB T2M 2H9Set your child’s inner Picasso free at North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre’s How to Draw People course. The course will teach nine to 12-year-olds time-tested strategies and techniques for drawing portraits, sketches and action drawings of people. The course runs March 13 to April 3, 10:30 am to 12 pm, Sundays. The fee is $42.75 plus GST for three classes.
Southland Leisure Centre
2000 Southland Dr SW, Calgary, AB T2V 4S4Burn off some of your youngsters’ springtime energy by enrolling them in the School’s Out Day Camp at Southland Leisure Centre. Open to children aged four to 12, the camp will feature all sorts of fun and games, which may include swimming, sports hall activities, movies, skating, gymnastics, Wii, SNUG and more. Cost of the one-day camp is $61 plus GST, and it runs March 18, 7 am to 6 pm.
