TERRACE BAY— The Terrace Bay Arena is looking to round out its programs and encourage users to come out and lace up their skates.
Their arena schedule is available online and will be updated every Friday morning.
Michelle Malashewski, the municipality's community development assistant, said the new season will open with a new open skate option offered Monday to Friday between 1 and 3 p.m. She said council agreed to offer free public skating sessions, in order to encourage everyone from all ages and abilities to get active.
“Family skate, our second new skating option, started last Wednesday, and runs Tuesdays and Fridays, from 3:30 to 5:50 p.m. We want to encourage more participation which is why council agreed to make all public skating free,” Malashewski said. Public skating is mainly everyday with mostly adults using the ice.”
Malashewski said she is excited about letting people know about new changes and that users are highly encouraged to wear a approved helmet for safety, especially children. Malashewski said a policy about helmet use is in the process of being written, but added that all staff and skating attendants wear a helmet.
She said the department is also working to start up a youth bowling league, with a goal of getting more people to use the local bowling alley. The league will be open to children in Grades 1 through 8, and will focus on teaching the sport and how to keep score. The league is planned to run on Fridays from 4 to 6 p.m.
"The youth who sign up for the league do not have to commit to the whole season although we encourage that. They can sign up for drop-ins as well,” she said.
Schools are invited to sign up and use the bowling alley for free, with Friday night bowling open to adults for $5 when they can come out and engage with other adults and stay active. Families can also sign up for family bowling night, any night of the week but need to register in advance.
Malashewski is also very excited about this year’s plans for Winterfest 2023, because the past few years the event had limitations due to the pandemic. But this year, the community is ready to plan the event as how its been held traditionally.
It is scheduled to happen in February, and already her department has sent out invitations to local businesses, community groups and schools to participate.
“It is mainly outdoor participation. We are looking at all kinds of groups to submit events and we will include these in our brochure. It is an event that will help community groups fund raise as well as businesses who want to have a promotion or an event featured,” Malashewski said.
