Rec. Centre offering many new programs

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Whomever said there is nothing to do in Rainy River obviously hasn’t checked out the recreational opportunities at the Rainy River Community Centre!
For the second time in as many years the Rainy River Recreation Board and Rainy River Public Library have received a grant to hire a special Recreation Coordinator.
Justin Wagner, who ran the program last year, has again been hired to do so again this year. “This year we are focused on creating activities for both youth and seniors,” said Justin last week.
Full time Rec. Director Kam Kuzyk said, “We put together the parameters for the grant last spring when the other one ran out.”
“We had more conventional activities last year, this year we are offering more alternative ones,” said Wagner. Those activities include youth and adult open tennis. The kids program currently has 12 participants and runs Tues. and Thurs. from 3:30-4:30 p.m. The Adult Open Tennis program runs on Tues. from 6-8 p.m. “We have had as many as eight but have six regular participants so far,” said Kuzyk.
There is also a youth baseball program for kids 13 and under. There are over 50 kids participating so far! The program features slo-pitch and t-ball. It runs Wed. from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
A community walking club has been started on Wed. and Fri. People interested in walking with others can participate. “We just meet at the Rec. Centre at 11 a.m. and then walk the community trails,” said Wagner. They have 20 people signed up so far. “It takes about 40 minutes to walk the trails,” added Wagner.
One program that has carried over from last year’s grant is the community birding. Wagner said that five birding events are planned with the library. The first one, run by both Wagner and avid birder and Librarian/CEO Michael Dawber, is set for Oct. 26th.
“We also offer Country Cruises for Seniors where I will pick them up and take them on 1/2 hour cruise around town to see birds,” said Wagner.
Another new and alternative program is the now very popular Zumba exercise program. “Marg Nussbaumer is a fully qualified instructor and will be offering Zumba classes every Mon. from 7-8 p.m,” said Wagner. If there is interest there may also be a Zumba Gold program offered for seniors.
Other activities that are in the works are Ultimate Frisbee, intramural hockey, cross-country skiing and men’s hockey with the arena ice set to go in around Halloween.
To get more information on activities or to participate, call 852-4446 or check them out on Facebook.