Rec Rap

Recreational Events, Highlights, and programs....

by Sharalyn Reitlo

COMMUNITY RECREATION PLANNING:

PUBLIC MEETINGS FOR LAC DU BONNET AND PINAWA

If you care about the future of Recreation in Pinawa and/or LdB,

please attend this important meeting.

The Winnipeg River Recreation District (WRRD) Board is spearheading the development of a 5-year Community Recreation Plan for both Lac du Bonnet and Pinawa communities. The planning process began a few months ago with collecting information from community residents and recreation groups. From the input received we have started to identify community issues, needs and interests.

About Community Recreation Planning…

Through Community Recreation Planning, groups and interested residents will work together to develop a shared future vision for the future of recreation in our community. We will also examine and determine values; issues; priorities; and goals for recreation in our community. By developing a shared future vision and a recreation plan for our community, we will be able to achieve more. Input from all community members and groups that are interested in sport, recreation, leisure, and culture is critical in developing a comprehensive plan.

Please attend a public community meeting…

•  Lac du Bonnet Community Centre on Tuesday, February 13 from 6:30-9:00 p.m.

•  Pinawa Community Centre (gym) on Thursday, February 15 from 6:30-9:00 p.m.

At the community meeting you will…

•  Receive more information about the LdB Community Recreation Planning process

•  Be able to provide your thoughts on recreation in our community (what you see now and what you'd like to see in the future)

•  Hear about some of the trends and factors that are impacting on recreation in LdB

The future of recreation in our community is important. By working together and taking a proactive approach we can make great things happen.

Vision without action is merely a dream.

Action without vision merely passes the time.

Vision with action can change the world.

February 14, 2007

  Did you Know ?

Did you know that the Lac du Bonnet Community Centre is undergoing a strategic planning process?  The board is in the process of identifying a future vision, values (guiding principles for work and decisions made), issues and strategic goals.  Interested in the results?  Come to the Centre for the Annual General Meeting on March 27th at 7:00 p.m.

Weekly Feature – Pinawa Invites the World Day  

On February 25th , the citizens of Pinawa are invited to gather together for an afternoon of fun and opportunity. The main reason for the event is that a community group photo will be taken that will later be part of a marketing package to invite people to Pinawa. Other festivities include hot dogs & hot chocolate, a silent auction, a bonfire, and a free fun skate. The event starts at 1:00 p.m. at the Arena and Community Centre with the picture being taken at 2:15 pm.  Wear your recreational clothing for the picture (i.e. team jerseys,

Skidoo suit, skiing equipment, etc.)    Blizzard date – March 4th .  Watch for more details in your mailbox or call Nancy at 753-5174.

Upcoming Events

February 25 – Pinawa Invites the World Day

March 10 – Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby

March 26 – Jam Can Curling in Pinawa

April 20-22 – 3rd Annual Spring Fling in LdB

April 29- Lac du Bonnet and Area Walk for MS in LdB

February 28, 2007

  Did you Know ?

Did you know that Lac du Bonnet and Pinawa both received grants through the Manitoba in motion initiative? Each community will be receiving $1,500 to assist in planning and awareness raising efforts for increased participation in physical activity. Busy lifestyles and today's technology (i.e. video games, computers and TV) are two big barriers that exist in making participation in regular physical activity difficult. The Manitoba in motion funding will assist our communities in becoming more aware of the benefits of being active and with efforts to reduce some of the barriers that exist to stop us from being active.

Weekly Feature – Community Recreation Planning Update  

Community meetings were held in mid February in both Lac du Bonnet and Pinawa to discuss the present and future of recreation from a broad community perspective. Some reoccurring themes surfaced at both meetings. Here are the highlights…

•  We (our community) have a lot going for us in recreation – programs, volunteer groups, private recreation services, facilities and outdoor venues for recreation (i.e. trails, parks, the river, etc.).

•  We want to see more people enjoying community recreation programs, facilities, and outdoor recreation opportunities.

•  We want to see more active families and people of all ages.

•  We struggle with declining volunteers and participants for recreation programs.

•  We see the value in developing partnerships amongst our recreation groups.

•  We see the value in working towards a collective future by identifying community recreation priorities and setting strategic goals.

So now what?

We need to work towards identifying those priorities, issues, and strategic goals for each community. In order to do this effectively, we need input from all community members and groups that are interested in sport, recreation, leisure, and culture. The WRRD will continue with gathering information and data. Steering committees will be formed in each community that will analyze the data and from that analysis, work to develop community vision statements, value statements, priorities, issues and goals. Once these have been determined at a broader community level, they will be given to all our recreation groups. We will ask each recreation groups to determine actions they can do to help meet the greater community goals that have been set. We are also looking at developing Community Recreation Alliances in both Pinawa and LdB that would determine actions that recreation groups could partner on such as program scheduling, promotion, volunteer recruitment, training and recognition, etc.

The WRRD is taking a lead role in the planning process because we see the value in planning for the future and in working in partnership. It is important to know that we are not developing a plan just for the WRRD, but for recreation in our communities as a whole. This includes the numerous recreation groups, volunteers, instructors, coaches, schools, daycares, etc. We all work in our own environment and often don't stop to think about what we all have in common – strengths, challenges, and issues. That's what we want to find out so we can maximize our strengths and resources to address our issues and priorities. By identifying these things, our recreation groups, the WRRD being one of many, will be able to determine actions that will help meet the broader community goals.

Please get involved by giving us any input or ideas you have throughout the data collection stage or being part of your local steering committee. Please contact the Rec Office to get or give more information .

March 7, 2007

Weekly Feature – Upcoming Children's Programming

The WRRD has been working on increasing recreation programming for children. We have a bunch of exciting opportunities coming up….

•  Mad Science Kids Day – Friday, March 23 from 9:00-3:30 at the LdB Community Centre

•  Jam Can Curling – Monday, March 26 from 9:00-6:00 at the arena in Pinawa

•  Junior Acting Classes – Wednesdays from April 11 to June 13 in Pinawa. Ages 7-9 class runs from 4:30-5:30 and ages 10-12 class runs from 5:30-6:30.

•  5 th Annual PhAT Camp in LdB from July 9-13.

If your child is interested in these programs, please call the Rec Office to get more information.

Watch for these programs and others in our Spring Recreation Brochure coming to a mailbox near you soon.

 If you want your recreation activities/events featured in this column, please contact the Rec Office.

Sharalyn Reitlo , Recreation Director;

Ph:  345-8816 or 753-2639;

Email:  reccom@mts.net .

Back to the Front Page February 2007...