Some bits and pieces this week: The leisure guide hits your mailbox this week and, of course, is also online at www.rdck.ca for those of you that want to kick back on the couch with your iPads or other such devices to select your favorite program. Always a fascinating read (I may be slightly biased), this issue caught my eye with some pretty cool programs for kids of all ages whether cooking, sports or arts and crafts. We also have a page on spring break youth activities, with both cooking and drama camps — Shakespeare to Easter edibles — as well as all our spring break skate times.
For those of you that like to have a bit of a workout Saturday mornings, beginning this Saturday we have added a few hours to the gym opening time, which now has the lights turning on at 9 a.m. instead of noon, which, of course, frees up more time in the afternoon to kick back on the couch with your iPad to look at all our programs. Speaking of workouts, Tia has a page in our guide with everything you need to know about the Just “Tri” It Triathlon. If you are new to the scene, this triathlon is made up of a 500 metre swim in our heated pool, a sprint outside to grab your bike for a 13 kilometre excursion to the Wynndel Viewpoint and back, finishing up with an invigorating five kilometre run around the neighbourhood.
Perhaps I have downplayed it slightly; it is definitely a workout but as a triathlon, we have had entrants from all ages and fitness levels, so if you had this on your bucket list, this one is entirely achievable for most relatively fit people. But wait, there’s more! If you just want to just do one or two aspects of the event, you can enter as a team of two or three and still be able to participate. Even if you don’t know anyone, just contact the front desk or Tia and we will gather names and match you up with participants in the other areas of the triathlon.
So, of course, I have a great idea. Why not create TriMatch.com — you know, stuff like swimmer seeking runner or biker seeking swimmer. We’d be rich! Of course, as with many of my great ideas, they are politely declined by the programmers, most likely because the name is taken already, perhaps some small liability issues with our employer — who knows — but the main point is that this is a great event that only eats up a morning for you (excluding possible training time). The other cool thing is this is the fifth triathlon since Tia started it probably five years ago and nervously calling it an annual event the first time, not knowing how it might be accepted. Here we are!
It’s a busy weekend coming up but a great time to come down to the community complex — not only will you see some exciting men’s curling at the 70th Butterfly Bonspiel, the 2016 Art Trot FUNdraiser for the Therapeutic Riding Program is also happening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This event has gotten larger each year and has expanded to take in the Erickson Room as a display area, as well as the lobby. Over at Rotacrest Hall, there is a multivendor trade show and, depending what happens in Junior B hockey since this was written, you might have an opportunity to catch some exciting playoff action with our own Creston Valley Thunder Cats. This Sunday, not only can you perambulate about the Creston Valley Farmers’ Market in the Creston Room while listening to live music, you can also take in the always interesting Creston Valley Figure Skating carnival. Or you can kick back on the couch with your iPad and miss it all. Your choice.
Neil Ostafichuk is the recreation supervisor at the Creston and District Community Complex.