Rec Report Newsletter: February/March 2026

Rec Report newsletter graphic - light blue
Type
Newsletter

Rec Report Newsletter - February/March 2026

Newsletter Spotlight

Rewind, Refresh, Recreate - A Look Through the Decades

Spinnaker logo - Share Your Stories!
You may have noticed something a little different in our style lately… have you wondered why?
Well, it's a big year because WSPR is celebrating 60 years of community recreation on the Westshore! Yes - 1966 was the year the original Juan de Fuca Parks and Recreation Commission was formed, leading to the lease of DND land where the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre currently sits. It is also 25 years that the new pool and weightroom has been open. So this year we take a deep dive and see where we've been as we look ahead.
 
A Look Through the Decades of Recreation:
The 80s were about energy and connection, when recreation centres were the heart of our community. Bright colours, aerobics classes, roller rinks and packed swim lessons brought people together in ways that felt effortless and fun. We are looking back at that spirit through local stories and shared memories that remind residents how it all began and how recreation helped create a sense of belonging that still matters today.
 
As we moved into the 90s, recreation evolved alongside growing communities. Programs expanded, team sports flourished and family-friendly activities became a cornerstone of everyday life. Street hockey, basketball leagues and after-school programs filled our centres with laughter and movement. The 90s were about participation and play, a decade where recreation became a place for everyone to show up, try something new and stay connected.
 
Then came the 2000s, when recreation entered a new era of innovation. Digital tools began to support in-person experiences, wellness trends gained momentum and programs adapted to changing lifestyles. Online registration, new fitness formats, and hybrid experiences made recreation more accessible than ever, while still keeping people moving together. It was a decade that blended technology with community, setting the stage for how we connect today.
 
Together, these decades tell the story of more than just programs. They reflect how recreation has grown with our community. This year, we are celebrating where we have been, reconnecting with the moments that shaped us, and continuing to build spaces where everyone belongs.
 
We welcome any stories, memories, artifacts and images you may have that celebrate your history and relationship with West Shore Recreation. What activities did you participate in? Did you work here? Who did you play with? Do you have any blooper stories?? We'd love to hear it all - Share Your Stories & Photos Now! All contributors will be entered to win a grand prize of a WSPR 12-Month Membership, to be awarded in in Fall 2026 in conjunction with our 60th birthday celebration!
 
Over the course of the year, WSPR will be sharing your stories, so stay tuned and keep an eye out for moments you might remember. Wander the facilities, explore the tables of memorabilia, reminisce over photos on the walls, and join us for the fun events that celebrate the last 60 years.
 
Rewind. Refresh. Recreate.

Family Day 80s Weekend

Family day 80s weekend graphic in neon colours

Get ready to feel the Family Day groove!
This weekend, we’re turning back the clock and cranking up the good vibes with WSPR’s FREE family activities, all wrapped in a totally rad 80s throwback theme. Bring the whole crew, rock those neon colours, and celebrate what matters most — family, fun, and community. It’s gonna be gnarly, and you won’t want to miss it!

-Aquatics-
FREE Swim Saturday - sponsored by Peninsula Co-op
Saturday, February 14, 2026
1:30-4:00PM
JDF Recreation Centre
Limited capacity due to lifeguard/patron ratio requirements.

-Sports-
FREE Family Basketball
Monday, February 16, 2026
10:00AM-12:00PM
Indoor Sport Floor 1
Youth 15 and under must attend with an adult.
Bring your own ball - rental balls are limited.

FREE Family Volleyball
Monday, February 16, 2026
12:00-2:00PM
Indoor Sport Floor 1
Youth 15 and under must attend with an adult.
Bring your own ball - rental balls are limited.

Pickleball Court Reservations
Monday, February 16, 2026
10AM, 11AM, 12PM, 1PM
$19 per 1-hour session. Racquets, balls and net rental included.
Reserve & pay online now! 

-Fitness-
FREE 80s Dance Fit
Monday, February 16, 2026
10:00-11:00AM
Indoor Sport Turf
Get your whole family moving and motivated in this fun fitness class instructed by Eugene.

-Golf-
FREE Kids Golf
Monday, February 16, 2026
JDF Golf Course

Spring Break Camps

2 kids wearing helmets in skating lessons with an instructor

With Pro-D days and spring break just around the corner, now's the time to book camps! Register using the links below, or click the magnifying glass icon at explore.wspr.ca to search by barcode and find out more about each program.

Why Choose WSPR Camps?
✔ Expert instructors & safe environments
✔ Hands-on learning and outdoor fun
✔ Build confidence, creativity, and new skills

Register Today – Spots Are Limited!
Preschool:
https://explore.wspr.ca/Westshore/public/category/browse/pro_campwinter_ey

School Age:
https://explore.wspr.ca/Westshore/public/category/browse/pro_camp_winter_sa
or call 250-478-8384 to secure your child’s spot.

Pro D Day Camps – February 13:

  • Active Play (6-11 Years) 
  • Cedar Vista Stables Horseback Riding Camp (Ages 6–13)   
  • Engineering for Kids: Minecraft & LEGO Crazy Contraptions (Ages 8–12)  

Spring Break Camps – March:

  • Spring Into Action – Spring Break Camps (Ages 3-5 years)
  • Nature Preschool – Spring Break Camps  (Ages 3 – 5 years)                     
  • Horseback Riding at Cedar Vista Stables (Ages 6–13)
  • Soccertron Camps
  • Richardson Sport-Palooza Camps (full day and half days; ages 6-9 / 7-10 / 10-14 years) 
  • Pacific Archery Camps (ages 9-17years)

Spring Break Skating Camps:
March 16-20 @ 1:00pm & March 23-27 @ 4:00pm
5 days of compressed skating lessons to focus on skills and quickly progress through levels with lots of fun added in!
50-minute classes include 30 minutes of instruction followed by 20 minutes of guided games to reinforce skills learned that day.
$90 for each week set.
School Age Level 1 (no prerequisite required); School Age Level 2; School Age Level 3/4; School Age Level 5/6.

Get ready to register - registration opens Tuesday, February 3rd at 6:00AM. 
Explore Skating Camps>

Afterschool Care - Every Day is Camp Day

3 kids at afterschool care with neon facepaint

If you’re looking for afterschool care that goes beyond the classroom, WSPR’s Afterschool Care program is here to give your child something truly special.

Every afternoon, children from 7 local schools (John Stubbs, David Cameron, Ruth King, Savory, Sangster, Wishart and Crystal View Elementary) are picked up by our Class 4 drivers and caring leaders and brought to WSPR’s expansive recreation site. With 109 acres of outdoor and indoor space to explore, every day feels like a mini summer‑camp experience.

What Makes WSPR Different?

  • A Camp Feel, All Year Long
    Children step off the bus and into a world filled with adventure. From forests and fields to the velodrome, sport courts, and two playgrounds, kids get the freedom to move, grow, and discover.
  • Caring, Consistent Leaders
    Our team provides stable relationships and long‑term connection, with often the same leaders providing summer camps, WSPR programs and birthday parties, as well as afterschool care. Older children also get the opportunity to participate in peer leadership groups that help build confidence and community.
  • Daily Engagement (not just supervision)
    Without the added costs of specialized programs, kids enjoy:
    • Art, craft, and science activities
    • STEM exploration
    • Physical literacy games that build real skills (running, jumping, balance, and more)
    • Free play, sports, and outdoor adventures
  • Designed for K–5 
    We provide the continuity families need—especially for older children who may not have access to school-based options.

Why Parents Love WSPR Afterschool Care

  • Multiple spaces for children to play and explore

  • A fleet of buses and licensed class 4 drivers ensuring safe, reliable pick-up

  • A community where children feel known, supported, and excited to return

  • A program built around fun, movement, imagination, and connection

If you're looking for so much more, join us! We’re offering more space, more activity, more creativity, more community, and more joy. It's a place where every day feels like a camp day.

Come and Move. Learn. Play. with WSPR!
Space is still available for the 2026 school year - register now!

2026/2027 Registration:
Current Families: March 4, 2026 at 6AM to March 16, 2026 at 9PM
New Families: April 6, 2026 at 6AM onwards

Upcoming Holiday Hours

HOLIDAY DATE HOURS
Family Day Monday, February 16 6AM-10PM

Details on our website

© Copyright 2026 | West Shore Parks & Recreation. All Rights Reserved.
West Shore Parks & Recreation | 1767 Island Highway, Victoria, BC, Canada, V9B 1J1
Tel: 250-478-8384 | reception@wspr.ca