recreation

Strathcona Gardens lifeguard Cianna Dunn keeps watch during a Campbell River Killer Whales practice. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror

Out of the pool: Why some B.C. communities are struggling to staff lifeguards

Expense, access to training, shifting lifestyles forcing facilites to adapting to new realities

 

The Rotary Pier at Kal Beach is in need of $500,000 worth of repairs, according to a report to District of Coldstream council in December 2022. (District of Coldstream photo)

North Okanagan areas chip in $70,000 for Kal Lake pier rebuild

Rebuilding the iconic pier is expected to cost $500,000

 

Armstrong Spallumcheen Parks and Recreation is introducing an access pass to those who qualify. The passes launched Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (Stephanie Hendy photo)

Armstrong Spallumcheen parks and rec launches affordable access passes

The passes are an attempt to remove barriers to accessing services such as the outdoor pool

 

A participant learns how to do CPR during a recent training session with Recreation Services. (Vernon.ca)

Life-saving skills passed on to Vernon pool, rink, gym users

Pilot program offered key safety courses, like CPR, to adult recreation users

A participant learns how to do CPR during a recent training session with Recreation Services. (Vernon.ca)
A change.org petition calls for Enderby to add an additional baseball diamond in the community to support local baseball, softball and slo-pitch leagues, which are experiencing a lack of space on the city’s existing ball diamonds. (City of Enderby photo) A change.org petition calls for Enderby to add an additional baseball diamond in the community to support local baseball, softball and slo-pitch leagues, which are experiencing a lack of space on the city’s existing ball diamonds. (City of Enderby photo)

Petition pitches additional baseball diamond for Enderby

Mayor Huck Galbraith says council is aware there is not enough space on existing ball diamonds in the city

A change.org petition calls for Enderby to add an additional baseball diamond in the community to support local baseball, softball and slo-pitch leagues, which are experiencing a lack of space on the city’s existing ball diamonds. (City of Enderby photo) A change.org petition calls for Enderby to add an additional baseball diamond in the community to support local baseball, softball and slo-pitch leagues, which are experiencing a lack of space on the city’s existing ball diamonds. (City of Enderby photo)
Salmon Arm Snowblazers volunteers work to clear trees that have fallen due to heavy snow onto sledding trails. (Contributed)

Avalanche concerns low for Shuswap snowmobile clubs, warm weather brings other challenges

Salmon Arm Snowblazers looking for help with fallen trees

Salmon Arm Snowblazers volunteers work to clear trees that have fallen due to heavy snow onto sledding trails. (Contributed)
More than 1,500 people have signed an online petition to add more fun features to Vernon’s new pool. (Change.org image)

Petition dives into need for more fun at new Vernon pool

Families looking for features like that of Kelowna’s H2O centre

More than 1,500 people have signed an online petition to add more fun features to Vernon’s new pool. (Change.org image)
Greater Vernon Recreation Services is introducing a single, universal access pass for different activities, including public skating, Jan.1, 2023. (Submitted photo)

New year rings in Vernon’s universal recreation access pass

The stayActive Pass will give users easy access to public swimming, skating, shinny, drop-in sports

Greater Vernon Recreation Services is introducing a single, universal access pass for different activities, including public skating, Jan.1, 2023. (Submitted photo)
The Vernon Aquatics Centre has temporarily removed its diving board after discovering repairs to the unit are needed. (City of Vernon photo)

Vernon pool diving board grounded

Unit closed temporarily, new one on order, after deficiency discovery

The Vernon Aquatics Centre has temporarily removed its diving board after discovering repairs to the unit are needed. (City of Vernon photo)
The triggering of a chlorine gas alarm has closed the Vernon Aquatic Centre Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

UPDATE: Vernon pool reopened following closure

A chlorine alarm was triggered just before noon Wednesday

The triggering of a chlorine gas alarm has closed the Vernon Aquatic Centre Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Geotechnical improvements were completed at the site of the Lakeview Wading Pool Revitalization Project, according to a report to council dated Nov. 18, 2022. (City of Vernon photo)

New Vernon Peanut Pool shaping up despite construction challenges

More than 2,700 cubic metres of clay soil removed from the site of the Lakeview Wading Pool

Geotechnical improvements were completed at the site of the Lakeview Wading Pool Revitalization Project, according to a report to council dated Nov. 18, 2022. (City of Vernon photo)
Vernon’s Vehicular Homelessness Action Team (VHAT) has helped four people in the last year move their RVs from Vernon’s streets to nearby RV parks, and city staff will continue to help inform and educate those living in their RVs. (Morning Star - file photo)

Vernon action team continues helping RV individuals

VHAT squad has helped four individuals leave city street and move to nearby RV parks

Vernon’s Vehicular Homelessness Action Team (VHAT) has helped four people in the last year move their RVs from Vernon’s streets to nearby RV parks, and city staff will continue to help inform and educate those living in their RVs. (Morning Star - file photo)
Recreation services director Doug Ross gives guests at a pop-up information booth the facts about Vernon's proposed Active Living Centre Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Referendum passes, Vernon recreation director retires

Doug Ross won’t be on staff to see the new facility be built after years of advocating for it

Recreation services director Doug Ross gives guests at a pop-up information booth the facts about Vernon's proposed Active Living Centre Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Conceptual rendering of new KCC (in red) with pedestrian and bicycle paths indicated in yellow (Photo/City of Kelowna)

City of Kelowna seeking bids on largest development project ever

City council unanimously approved the KCC, to be built next to the Apple Bowl, in March

Conceptual rendering of new KCC (in red) with pedestrian and bicycle paths indicated in yellow (Photo/City of Kelowna)
Vernon’s Block family has been a fixture at Lincoln Lanes bowling centre since the 1970s. The popular facility on 25th Avenue is for sale, and one participant wants to see the facility remain a bowling alley. (Diane Block photo)

Owners pin for sale sign on Vernon bowling centre

Lincoln Lanes opened in 1968; one bowler wants to see facility remain bowling alley

Vernon’s Block family has been a fixture at Lincoln Lanes bowling centre since the 1970s. The popular facility on 25th Avenue is for sale, and one participant wants to see the facility remain a bowling alley. (Diane Block photo)
City recreation services director Doug Ross gives guests the facts about Vernon’s proposed Active Living Centre at a pop-up information booth Wednesday, Sept. 14. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Vernon’s proposed Active Living Centre discussed with public at open house

Pop-up information booths are taking place at various locations and days around town

City recreation services director Doug Ross gives guests the facts about Vernon’s proposed Active Living Centre at a pop-up information booth Wednesday, Sept. 14. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Active Living Centre conceptual design of the lobby.

Schools open doors to Vernon referendum information

Open houses ahead of Active Living Centre vote on borrowing $121M

Active Living Centre conceptual design of the lobby.
Lake Life. Lia Crowe photography

To the lake!

Okanagan Lake is the heart of summer life in the Okanagan Valley

  • Aug 26, 2022
Lake Life. Lia Crowe photography
The Vernon Aquatic Centre will be closed from Monday, Aug. 22 to Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 for annual maintenance. (Photo: Chris Sharpe/Google Street View).

Annual shutdown of Vernon pool nears

The recreation facility will be closed for a month starting Monday

The Vernon Aquatic Centre will be closed from Monday, Aug. 22 to Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 for annual maintenance. (Photo: Chris Sharpe/Google Street View).
Active Living Centre conceptual design.

PHOTOS: Referendum info blitz begins for Vernon recreational centre

The voting for or against will take place on Oct. 15

Active Living Centre conceptual design.