March Recreation Update

Welcome to the Arnprior Life recreation update, March 2023 edition. March is an exciting month with March break and St. Patrick's day in the same week! There are many exciting programs and events to keep you busy. 

The More You Know... 

• Volunteer opportunities! Do you know of students looking to fill their volunteer hours? Interested students are encouraged to email recreation@arnprior.ca to learn more about how to get involved.
• Learn more about what makes the town of Arnprior a great place to work and find out about other opportunities within the town by following our town of Arnprior page on LinkedIn. 
• Packers playoff hockey! Your Arnprior packers are set to play some playoff hockey this month. Stay tuned to their website and social media channels to stay up to date.
• Rivermen playoff hockey! Your Arnprior Rivermen play a must-win game this Friday against Gananoque! Follow their socials to stay up to date!

Dates To Circle On Your Calendar

(Information and registration for these are available through our online recreation system)

• March 1: Spring/summer sport program/league registration opens
• March 3: Craft program (mystery craft night)
• March 9: ontrac's annual job fair
• March 10: Youth night (sports with a twist)
• March 13-17: March break camp
• March 17: St. Patrick's music trivia night
• March 21: Craft program (bird feeder)
• March 26: Red cross stay safe! Course with 13 first aid
• March 29: Spring aquatics registration (lessons)
• March 30: Spring aquatics registration (aqua fitness)
• March 31: Youth night (trick shot night)

• April 1: Easter bake fair & cake decorating contest
• April 4: Craft program (easter)
• April 7: Youth night
• April 8: Easter egg hunt in the parks
• April 11: Swimming lessons start
• April 21: Craft program (piggy bank)
• April 28: Youth night
• Summer camp registration (camp wanago, hockey school, ringette school and more) to open in early may!

Do you have an event you want to share? Add it to the events calendar

March Break

The Nick Smith Centre is packed with activities all march break with swimming and skating daily. Take a twirl on the ice in any of our free public skates, sponsored by our generous community partners. Dip in to the pool at any of the public swim times listed. Regular user fees apply. For more information visit www.arnprior.ca/marchbreak 

Drop In Programs

We have many ways for you to stay active in the pool, on the ice and in the community hall … and even outdoors! Full details of all the programs are available here or sign in to your online account and click on schedule to view the programs or to register.  

Table tennis - new to the rec department, we have table tennis (or ping pong, whichever you prefer) daytime on Mondays from 12:30-2:30pm or Wednesday evenings from 5:00-7:00pm. Register online to secure your spot!

Lending hub – our lending hub is open to residents of Renfrew County and is ready to go. If you're in need of skates and a helmet to enjoy skating on the ice, we've got your covered. We'll have snowshoes and cross-country skis available when the snow flies! Please call the nick smith center (613.623.7301) or email recreation@arnprior.ca to reserve.

Pickleball – join us at the nick smith centre on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays with the fastest-growing sport in Canada. Check out court times online and reserve your spot!

Badminton – we are serving up a good time on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights at the Nick Smith Centre! Both sessions run from 7:30-10:30pm and online registration is required as space is limited. Sign up today!

Lunchtime toonie skate: take a break from the office and get out for a skate on your lunch hour! This skate is offered Monday - Friday from 12:00-1:00pm for just $2.00. 

Public skating - enjoy public skating at the Nick Smith Centre Fridays (6:00-7:00pm), select Saturdays (6:00-7:00pm) and Sundays (3:00-4:00pm). Please check the schedule online for updates. Participants can register online in advance or pay at the front counter. Cost is $3.00 for adults and $2.50 for children and seniors. 

Parent with tots and seniors skate - our parents with tots and seniors skates is offered three days a week running from 1:00-3:00pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Participants can register online in advance or check in at the front counter. This is a free skate for those eligible.

Adult shinny - shinny will be offered for adults, those 16 and older, Monday through Friday from 12:00-1:00pm and Tuesdays from 4:00-5:00pm at a cost of $5. Full equipment is required. Participants can register online in advance or pay at the front counter. 

Women's shinny - new this year, we're offering women's shinny on Monday night's 9:30-10:30pm at a cost of $5. Full equipment is required. Participants can register online in advance or pay at the front counter.

Minor shinny - offered for those u10-u12 on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30pm at a cost of $4. Full equipment is required and a parent or guardian (18 or older) must remain present while the child is participating. Participants can register online in advance or pay at the front counter. 

Junior shinny - offered for those u13-u16 on Mondays and Fridays from 3:30-4:30pm at a cost of $4. Full equipment is required. Participants can register online in advance or pay at the front counter. 

Ringette shinny - offered for youth ringette players on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-4:30pm at a cost of $4. Full equipment is required. Participants can register online in advance or pay at the front counter. 

Sport Leagues/Programs

T-ball - introducing a new youth sport program, t-ball! Registration opens on march 1st for this program designed for those aged 4-7 as a fun and engaging introduction to baseball. Beginning following the may long-weekend this program is set to debut with the help of parent volunteers. Click here to register and learn more! 

Youth ball hockey - just because the ice comes out doesn't mean we stop playing hockey! We will be starting a youth ball hockey league this spring on the area slab for those aged 8-13. Learn more and register online here!

Adult co-ed soccer - we are bringing it back to school yard soccer with this 7v7 league play. This co-ed league fosters fun and inclusive play with games once a week. Register your whole team or sign up as an individual and play with others. Learn more and register online.

Beach volleyball - the always popular beach volleyball league return this summer for some action at Robert Simpson park. Running every Wednesday night after the may long-weekend, you can register your own team or sign up as an individual and play with others. Learn more and register online!

Preschool programming

ready, set, go! - we've partnered with earlyon to provide a free drop-in program on Tuesday mornings at the nick smith centre. This parent-accompanied program runs from 10am-11:30am for some gross motor skills fun. See you there!

Little people's program - the return of little people's is going great and you can still join in if you're looking to get in on the action. This drop-off program runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am-12pm with lots of fun games and activities on the go. Register online now!

Kinderdrama - coming soon! In partnership with Ottawa Valley Theatre kids, this introduction to dramatic arts will take place at the Arnprior & District Museum on Saturday mornings in April. Open to ages 4 and 5, this program will surely be a thrill. Stay tuned for more information.

Youth programs

Crafting program - after months of success in the monthly crafting program, we've scrapped the monthly part and now run twice a month. Register online for this make-and-take program. Oh yeah, pizza too!

Drama lab - the next session of drama lab is set to begin in April and you can register for it now! 

Ready, set, go! - we’ve teamed up with earlyon to offer a brand new motor skills program, ready, set, go! Join us Tuesday mornings for free at the nick smith centre.

Youth nights - we are very excited to roll out a new series of youth programming called youth nights! These activities are led by young staff to create a fun and inclusive environment where kids can go and be themselves on Friday nights. Learn more and register for these programs online!

Off-ice training - the incredible Meagan Mask is putting you through an off-ice workout designed for young hockey and ringette players. Learn more and register online.

Adult/senior programs

SUP yoga - this is the last month in the pool on Wednesdays with sup yoga classes led by Christin. You're tied down to lane ropes for extra stability in this exciting class that will surely be a good workout. Register now! This program is sponsored by Ottawa Valley Air Paddle.

Pilates - the always lovely Denise Weise is at the nick smith centre every Monday for drop-in Pilates. Register online or visit the front counter to join in. 

Aquatics update

Spring registration for all children's lessons opens on Wednesday, march 29^th at  9 am. 

Spring registration for all adult pool programs (aqua fitness) opens Thursday, March 30^th at 9 am. 

First time in lessons?  Looking to make it a smooth transition to that first class in the pool?  We strongly suggest bringing your child to play and swim and at a public swim.  We have toys to play with and excellent staff to answer any questions.  The public swim schedule is available for viewing online.

Winter swimming lessons are not taking place during March break from Saturday, March 11^th to and including Friday, march 17^th.  Classes resume to their regular schedule on Saturday march 18^th.   The final class of 10 weeks will be during the week beginning Sunday march 19^th to Saturday march 25^th.  Look for notices on the pool bulletin boards for session ending dates for all pool programs. Aqua jogging, aqua boot camp, and excel aquafit will not be taking place during the week of Monday March 13^th to Friday March 17^th. 

Endurance training:  we will be hosting a trial evening in the pool for athletes who are training for endurance events on Saturday, March 4^th from 5pm -8pm.  You can swim, bike or run.  You are invited to bring your bike trainer to set up on the pool deck.  Swimming transition to your stationary bike to running in the pool.  The options and time frame of events is your choice and aqua belts are available for water running.  Registration is open online and cost is $25.00 for the 3 hour block.

Swim admission test:  in February of 2022 the town of Arnprior adopted the Ontario government’s provincial admission standards for public pools.  All children 10 and under will be asked t o take a swim test in order to swim in the deep end.  Children who successfully complete the swim test may swim anywhere unaccompanied in the pool, however, a guardian 15 years of age or older must remain within the viewing area.  Children who do not complete the swim test must be accompanied by a guardian over 15 years of age who remains in the water and is within arm’s reach at all times.  If a child is wearing a lifejacket but did not complete the swim test, they must still remain in the shallow end and be accompanied by a guardian who remains in the water and within arm’s reach at all times.  The swim test needs only to be passed once.  The pool staff keeps a record of all swimmers who have passed the test.

Winter pool schedule: the winter pool schedule can be viewed (and printed) online.  

Aquafit punch card: the aquafit punch card has returned. This product can only be purchased in person at the front counter at the nick smith centre for us at any of the 9am or 1pm aquafit classes. 

Introducing fitness swimmer:  stuck in the same old swim routine? Looking to get fit through swimming? This class will teach you how to pace yourself, how to use different styles of training to raise your heart rate, and how to use the pace clock. This is a small class with individualized coaching to bring out the best in your swimming. This class runs Fridays at 2pm. More details can be found on our website. 

Tuesday and Thursday evening toonie swim:  at a cost of $2.00 per person enjoy a half-hour swim. Come out in the early evening to have fun, play, swim, and relax and ensure a good night’s sleep. This is swim is at 7:30 - 8:00 p.m..

Drop in – aquafit and excel waterfit and now available for drop-in. It is $15.00 a class. We only accept 5 participants so it is first come first served. 

Pool rentals: the pool is available to rent on Saturdays or Sundays from 1:00pm-2:00pm. Contact us to book your party now.

National lifeguard and standard first aid course: is being offered on may 5,6,7 and may 12,13, 14.  If you are soon turning 16 and looking for a summer job this is the course for you.  You will be qualified and ready to work for the summer.

Hiring lifeguards/swim instructors: do you or someone you know hold your national lifeguard – we would love to have you as part of lifeguard team with the town of Arnprior.  The job posting is available for viewing at arnprior.ca. 

Outdoor rinks, trails, parks and more!

Arnprior is fortunate to have an abundance of outdoor recreation amenities that support the physical, mental, and social health of our community. Below is a list of these amenities for you to enjoy this winter and details to support the sharing and safety of these spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Outdoor rinks

All outdoor rinks remain closed. Please refrain from entering these surfaces to allow our crew to properly maintain and bring these surfaces back up to a safe standard.

Find more information and status updates on our three outdoor rinks on our outdoor skating rinks webpage.

Trails

Whether you’re on foot, skis or snowshoes, dress appropriately, plan your route, bring a buddy, watch your feet – stay away from slippery surfaces and fast-moving water – and wear reflective and colourful clothing. A reminder that not all trails are maintained in the winter and to be mindful of motorized vehicles when using the Algonquin trail – please share the trail space with all users. Visit our trails page to learn more about the trails in our community.

Sliding

The town of Arnprior does not have any sanctioned sliding hills. Residents and visitors will see signs posted in select parks and areas where people often go sliding advising them of the risks of those areas. These locations include ‘tank hill’ on james street and at Robert Simpson Park. These hills, and others, are not safe for sliding and the town of Arnprior does not accept responsibility for related risks or injuries. Town staff continues to review suitable options to potentially designate a hill for sliding/ tobogganing in the future.

More information can be found on the trails and outdoor rinks section of our website.