Free ice skating at Leamington complex

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By David Dyck

Leamington residents were able to skate for free at the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex on Family Day.

Visitors coming to the complex, commonly referred to as the “Sherk,” were given two hours of free skating sponsored by the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church. The complex also offered five hours of an open gym and two hours of open pool time. This is the third year the church has celebrated Family Day with the community.

Along with skating, popcorn, cookies, hot chocolate and a giant inflatable bouncy castle, the church also offered draw prizes for rink users. Prizes included a $100 gift card for Adventure Bay, a $50 gift card for the Cineplex Odeon and two $25 prizes for Domino’s Pizza.

“We just wanna love on Leamington,” said Nathan Albrecht, pastor of the F.G.T. church since 2012. “We wanna celebrate Family Day with our community.”

While the church holds many special events throughout the year, Albrecht is especially thankful for a holiday set aside just for spending time with the family, which also serves as a break in between the long interval between Christmas and Easter.

“I think it’s great our provincial government… decided to create a holiday specifically for families… It’s a nice opportunity for families to spend some quality time together in the winter.”

One of the many families enjoying the rink was Trevor Brown, 40, who was there with his five children.He said Family Day offers a “chance to catch up when we don’t have time in our busy lives.”

According to Brenda Fischer, the supervisor of marketing events and customer service for the complex, it is the Sherk’s primary aim to get people moving. She said during the year, parents may not always be available to be with their children when they drop them off at the Sherk, but events like these give parents a chance to be active along with their children.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity if kids are off school and parents aren’t working, for them to come out. It encourages families to come out and play together,” said Fischer.

Fischer said she was also thankful for the partnership they hold with the church. Along with other organizations, the complex brings activities to the municipality to “get people in motion.”

Albrecht plans to hold the event again next year and bring even more items to entice families.