• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
Huntsville Doppler

Huntsville Doppler

Read Local

  • Home
    • All Stories
    • Community Guidelines
  • COVID-19
  • News
  • Community
  • Commentary
    • Letters
  • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Professionally Speaking
  • Sports
  • Obituaries
  • Lifestyle
    • Contests and Deals
    • Entertainment
    • Extraordinary People
    • Feature
    • This is Huntsville | Videos
    • Wayback Wednesday
    • Our Town with Grant Nickalls | Archive
  • Events
    • Event Listings
    • Add Your Event
  • It’s All Good
  • Speak Up, Huntsville!
  • Subscribe
  • Support
You are here: Home / Community / Activity is important now more than ever: Town programs can help

Activity is important now more than ever: Town programs can help

By Doppler Online On December 16, 2020 A Sponsored Profile, Community

Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin
Email this to someone
email
Print this page
Print

 

Physical activity is good for mental well-being, and that’s important now more than ever. While many sports and activities have had to adjust to the safety measures necessary during a pandemic, there are still many ways to stay active.

The Town of Huntsville’s community services department has been working hard to provide a variety of options for residents of all ages.

“We are focused on recovery, reinvention and resilience. We are modifying programs to meet restricted numbers placed on us by COVID regulations and instruction letters from the health unit,” says Simone Babineau, the municipality’s director of community services. “It’s important that people have these opportunities for physical and mental well-being. These programs were essential to our community before COVID; they are even more important now.”

Make a splash

Aquatics programs are a great way to get the whole family moving.

Red Cross winter swim registration opened December 15 so that kids can keep up with their lessons.

“Our fall session went well and our instructors have been creative in teaching classes with social distancing, and they’re ready to go for the winter session,” says Morven Barnes, manager of aquatics.

There are also lap swim and leisure swim times available as well as aquatic fitness classes like Body Blast and Hydrorider. Registration is required for all programs; drop-ins are not permitted.

Be sure to book your times early. Most days classes are full and have a waiting list, notes Barnes, adding that they are working to increase capacity safely.

The pool is also available to rent on Saturdays at 3:30 p.m. for birthday parties and family activities at a reduced rate.

Register for all aquatic programs here.

“This is a great place to exercise,” says Barnes. “For many people it’s the only place they can exercise because of joint problems or pain. We are doing our best to keep it open for the people that need it.”

Take a walk

If terra firma is more your thing, the indoor walking track at the Don Lough Arena remains open Monday to Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. It’s free to use but advance registration is required. Book online or call the Customer Service desk at 705-789-6421 up to seven days in advance.

Track sessions are 45 minutes long and are for walking only—running is not permitted. Users must wear a mask or face-covering when moving through the facility, but can remove it when actively using the track.

 

Camp in a Bag

The kids don’t have to miss out on the camp experience this year. Although holiday camps aren’t available, Town staff have created a Camp in a Bag alternative.

“It’s something they can do at home with their families and still take part in a camp activity,” says Jessica Smith, recreation and leisure coordinator.

For just $23, take home cool swag, and fun crafts and activities. Each package is personalized to the child. Purchase yours online here.

 

Take winter (or summer) indoors

Both of the arenas at the Canada Summit Centre are open for activities (by registration) and for rentals.

At the Don Lough Arena, both a parent and tot skate and an adult skate are available on weekdays—prebook your time here. While staff are disappointed that the traditional family holiday skates have been cancelled due to the pandemic, there will be opportunities in the new year for families to rent the ice by the hour, particularly on weekdays and Saturday evenings. Call 705-789-6421 for more information.

Don Lough Arena (huntsville.ca)

Over at the Jack Bionda Arena, the floor remains ice-free, and can also be rented for use by a variety of groups starting January 18, COVID restrictions permitting.

“This could allow both indoor sports as well as sports played primarily outside in the summer to come inside and have a large area in which to play or practise,” says Greg Pilling, the Town’s manager of sales and customer service. Contact him prior to January 4, 2020 with requests for your group at greg.pilling@huntsville.ca or 705-789-6421 ext. 3027.

Pickleball has also returned to the floor of the Jack. The next eight-week sessions for beginner, intermediate and advanced players begin in mid-January, three days per week. There will also be a learn-to-play pickleball session available on Thursdays. Register for all pickleball sessions here.

“We are COVID-friendly and safe,” notes Pilling. “We have precautions and enhanced cleaning procedures in place to ensure that everyone is safe.”

For more information on the Canada Summit Centre Re-Opening Guidelines, click here.

And stay tuned to huntsville.ca for future programming, says Smith. “We are making plans to bring even more options to Huntsville residents in the new year that are COVID-safe.”

Note that the Canada Summit Centre will close registered programs and services from noon on December 24, 2020 to January 1, 2021.

 

This is a sponsored story paid for by the featured advertiser

Reader Interactions

Join the discussion: Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All comments are moderated. Please ensure you include both your first and last name and abide by our community guidelines. Submissions that do not include the commenter's full name or that do not abide by our community guidelines will not be published.

Primary Sidebar

Latest Community Stories

Local family has raised thousands for youth mental health support in memory of son

April 7, 2021 Leave a Comment

It’s Wayback Wednesday sponsored by Pharmasave: Watson and Reece

April 7, 2021 Leave a Comment

Influenza virus particle as seen under a microscope (CDC)

Who killed the flu? | Letters

April 5, 2021 5 Comments

Helen with her adopted lamb Mary (Pam Carnochan)

Rejected lamb finds new adoptive home with Muskoka ewe

April 4, 2021 5 Comments

Oliver (second from left) and Paisley Fleming make a donation to Jennifer Simpson (left) development associate, and Trish Kruusmagi, development officer stewardship and events, from the Huntsville Hospital Foundation (supplied)

Siblings sold toys to support hospital foundation as thanks for helping their mom

April 2, 2021 1 Comment

  • Recent Stories
  • Popular
  • March 24, 2021 18

    Councillor Wiebe gets council support for alternative housing idea

  • March 21, 2021 18 Conservative Party of Canada Leader Erin O'Toole (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

    Listen Up! Who am I? | Commentary

  • March 28, 2021 17

    Listen Up! I am now officially a guinea pig | Commentary

  • March 18, 2021 13

    Huntsville’s downtown Empire lot sells for short of a million: agent

  • April 4, 2021 11

    Listen Up! We are at a pandemic crossroads | Commentary

  • April 11, 2021 2

    Listen Up! The most essential task we have | Commentary

  • April 11, 2021 0

    Art Fx #15: “Hear no Evil, Speak no Evil, See no Evil” by Patricia Astley

  • April 10, 2021 1

    Fundraising campaign underway to help community member following medical battle

  • April 10, 2021 0

    Get a Taste of Huntsville in May to support downtown restaurants

  • April 9, 2021 4

    Rethinking how the Muskoka River watershed is managed, particularly with more flood events anticipated

  • A Sponsored Profile (301)
  • Around Muskoka (3)
  • Art Fx (15)
  • Breaking (25)
  • Business (227)

Footer

About Doppler

Established in 2015 by a bunch of local news hounds, Doppler strives to be the go-to source for people wanting to know more about what is going on in Huntsville and the surrounding community.

We strive to provide local news that is relevant and timely. We also look to tell local stories that inspire, inform and engage.

Notice the persistent use of the word local? Our mantra is local. From features on local people doing extraordinary things, to local business spotlights, news and sports coverage, all supplemented by provocative opinion pieces on topics near and far, we are working hard for you.

Feel free to drop us a line at huntsville@doppleronline.ca and tell us how we are doing, what you would like to see more of, or to just say ‘Hi’.

Thank you for reading Doppler.

Huntsville Doppler – READ LOCAL

Recent Comments

  • Bill Beatty on Listen Up! The most essential task we have | Commentary
  • Jim Logagianes on Listen Up! The most essential task we have | Commentary
  • gerry lannan on Speak Up, Huntsville!
  • Ray Vowels on Speak Up, Huntsville!
  • Dave Gibson on Rethinking how the Muskoka River watershed is managed, particularly with more flood events anticipated
  • Bill Beatty on Town seeks input on use of bikes, skateboards, scooters on sidewalks and Town-owned properties
  • Susan Foster on Rethinking how the Muskoka River watershed is managed, particularly with more flood events anticipated
  • Al Reilly on Town seeks input on use of bikes, skateboards, scooters on sidewalks and Town-owned properties

Copyright © 2021 ·Doppler · Log in
  • About
  • Support Local News
  • Community Guidelines
  • Advertising
  • Contact
  • Subscribe