Rec Report - Holiday Edition: December 2023
Newsletter Spotlight
- Winter Wonderland
- Santa Swim
- The Gift of [more than!] Recreation
- Winter Break Camps
- Holidays Around Town
- The Shore - WSPR's New Youth Programming
- Staff Profile - Le V.: Gliding Through Excellence
- 2024 LIFE Program Application
- Generation Health
- Upcoming Holiday Hours
Winter Wonderland
Ignite the magic of the season with a skate through the enchanting Winter Wonderland at JDF Arena! Join us for a round of festive joy as you skate with Santa and explore the whimsical landscape of fluffy snow, trimmed trees, twinkling lights, and delightful decorations. Mark your calendars for December 15-20 and let your holiday spirit come alive.
Join us - and Santa! - for Everyone Welcome skating:
| Friday, December 15 | 4:30-5:30PM ~ FREE! Public skate sponsored by Peninsula Coop 6:00-7:00PM |
| Saturday, December 16 | 4:30-5:30PM 6:00-7:00PM |
| Sunday, December 17 | 4:30-5:30PM 6:00-7:00PM |
| Monday, December 18 | 6:00-7:00PM |
| Tuesday, December 19 | 6:00-7:00PM |
| Wednesday, December 20 | 6:00-7:00PM |
And don't forget Christmas Eve & New Years Eve!
Everyone Welcome skating on December 24 & 31:
10:30-11:30AM
12:00-1:00PM
1:30-2:30PM
3:00-4:00PM
Santa Swim
Come on down to the pool at JDF for a fun, festive, family swim on December 23rd from 1:00-3:00PM. Santa will be making an appearance on the pool deck and there will be jolly activities in and out of the pool, like festive music, balloon artist, Grinchy crafts and holiday selfie scenes.
The Gift of [more than!] Recreation
Unwrap the fun, and so much more! Introducing our NEW holiday gift vouchers, the perfect way to spread the joy of recreation and all its amazing perks.
Recreation is so much more than just something to do... it offers invaluable opportunities for social connection, personal growth, mindfulness, physical activity, creativity, cultural experiences, and more. Make memories together with friends and family, find your zen, step up your game, and build a healthy lifestyle. What's even better is finding it all, for everyone in the family, right here at WSPR.
This holiday season, don't just give a gift – give an experience that everyone on your list can benefit from all year long. Beat the rush and purchase your holiday gift vouchers now - available online or at reception.
Winter Break Camps
Make the most of the kid's time off from school with a specialty camp that blends fun and skill development. Pick one, or mix and match dates to participate. Find out more and register now, using the links below:
Horseback Riding Camp (6-13 yrs)
A wonderful half-day program spent outside in this hands-on environment that promotes horsemanship while encouraging students to discover their love of horses.
December 27: #11696
December 28: #11924
December 29: #11925
January 2: 311697
January 3: #11926
January 4: #11927
Engineering For Kids: Jr. Minecraft & Lego (6-10 yrs)
Step into the virtual world of Minecraft and conquer engineering challenges with your awesome teamwork and ingenious ideas. But wait, there's more! In the afternoon...
January 3: #11820
Engineering For Kids: Jr. Minecraft & Rockets (6-8 yrs)
Step into the extraordinary realm of Minecraft and unlock the wonders of engineering with your team. Build, craft, and complete challenges using teamwork and innovation!
January 4: #11821
Engineering For Kids: Minecraft & Custom Air Dragsters (6-12 yrs)
Gear up for a thrilling day of adventure! Step into the virtual world of Minecraft and conquer engineering challenges with your awesome teamwork and ingenious ideas.
January 5: #11823
Holidays Around Town
WSPR believes in the power of community, and this year, we're turning the spotlight on holiday events that are lighting up the Westshore communities. Mark your calendars and clear your schedules because the holiday season is about to come alive with a series of festive events that promise fun, laughter, and a whole lot of joy.
Whether you're a long-time resident or a newcomer, these events are just the ticket to meeting the wonderful people who make the Westshore a thriving community. So come on down for some holiday treats and entertainment, meet local families and support local businesses. After all, the more, the merrier!
| Langford Light Up & Truck Parade | Veterans Memorial Park | December 2, 6-8PM |
| Colwood Light Up | Colwood City Hall | December 5, 6-8PM |
Introducing: The Shore - WSPR's New Youth Programming
We're so excited to let you know that our dedicated youth space and programs are launching to new heights in the coming year. The Shore, formerly known as the Youth Room, is the ultimate haven for youth ages 11-18 in the Westshore. This vibrant hub is not just a place; it is a community within a community where awesome young minds will find a safe place to kick back, hang out and just be themselves.
Sports, art, swimming, skating and snacks are already on the agenda, so gather the squad, come join us at any of the events listed below and click here for program information.
Wednesdays:
The Shore & Skate
6:00-8:00PM | The Shore (Youth Room at JDF Recreation Centre) - FREE
6.30-7.20PM | $2 Skate (JDF Arena)
Thursdays:
Youth Drop-in Art Night
3:15-5:00PM | Spruce Room (Centennial Centre at 2805 Carlow Rd) - FREE
Fridays:
🌈 LEGO Group: A Safe Haven for 13-18 year-olds in the 2SLGBTQI+ Community
3:00-4:30PM | The Shore (Youth Room at JDF Recreation Centre) - FREE
The Shore & Swim
6:30-8:00PM | $2 Swim (JDF Recreation Centre)
8:00-9:00PM | The Shore (Youth Room) & Indoor Sports Complex (JDF Recreation Centre) - FREE
Various Days & Times (subject to change – view up-to-date schedule online)
$2 Youth Drop-in Basketball
Thrifty Foods Skate Park at WSPR
Open dawn to dusk daily - FREE
Staff Profile - Le V.: Gliding Through Excellence
If you've ever brought a kiddo to skating lessons, attended a public skate, or grabbed a snack at a Shamrocks or Grizzlies game, you have probably been graciously served by Le. Le has been on an impressive trajectory within multiple WSPR departments since 2015, progressing from a skilled skate monitor, to a dedicated Instructor, and now proudly serving as a team lead. He's also been known to grill up a pretty darn good burger behind the scenes.
Le's roots as a figure skater laid the foundation for a seamless transition into teaching skating, thanks to the advanced edge work and precise body positioning involved in the sport. Fun fact: many power skating (hockey skills training) coaches, including Le, boast a figure skating background. Did you know they even work with NHL teams, enhancing performance through their unique skill set!
Le is a key player in orchestrating the Winter Wonderland skating sessions at the JDF Arena, contributing significantly to planning, setup, and execution. We know you're all eagerly awaiting the delightful Winter Wonderland skates this year, so keep an eye out and be sure to say hi to Le! And – if we're lucky, Santa might even drop by to say hello!
2024 LIFE Program Application
Leisure Involvement For Everyone (LIFE) assists individuals and families with low incomes to access recreation services and programs at all municipal recreation centres in Greater Victoria.
As 2023 comes to an end, please be advised that the 2023 LIFE 52x visit passes will expire December 31, 2023.
The 2024 LIFE Application is now available online and at reception (JDF Recreation Centre). Simply complete the 2024 application form and return it to reception along with your proof of income and proof of residency in the Westshore.
Please note, acceptable proof of income is either a copy of your Canada Revenue 2021 or 2022 Notice of Assessment, or WSPR's Adjudicator Form. To obtain a copy of your Notice of Assessment (NOA), call Revenue Canada at 1-800-959-8281 or visit Canada Revenue NOA.
Apply early (before December 31, 2023) to avoid the rush!
As a bonus, all early applicants will receive 2 complimentary passes for you or a friend.
PLEASE NOTE: the 2024 LIFE stickers (for the back of the pass card) will be ready for pick-up AFTER January 2, 2024 from reception, which is when the new membership is ready to use.
Generation Health Program
A FREE 9-week program to inspire healthier BC families. Learn how families with children ages 8-12 can make small changes to feel better inside and out and have fun doing it! Program runs Wednesdays 6:30-8:30PM from January 17th – March 13th, 2024, at West Shore Parks & Recreation. Email or call for more info@generationhealth.ca or 1-888-650-3141.
Upcoming Holiday Hours
| HOLIDAY | DATE | HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas Eve | December 24 | 7AM-3PM |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | Closed |
| Boxing Day | December 26 | Closed |
| New Year's Eve | December 31 | 7AM-3PM |
| New Year's Day | January 1, 2023 | Closed |
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West Shore Parks & Recreation | 1767 Island Highway, Victoria, BC, Canada, V9B 1J1
Tel: 250-478-8384 | questions@wspr.ca