Skip to content

Health and Fitness: Something for everyone at recreation complex

Regardless of age, there are programs for everyone at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex.
62514tribuneIMG_9935
Aquatic staff Elisabeth Rova and Barb Vincent show off some of the new equipment available to swimmers and Aquafit patrons at the Sam Ketcham Pool – hand paddles and pull buoys. The Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex offers twin arenas

Regardless of age, there are programs for everyone at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex.

City of Williams Lake Recreation Coordinator Denise Skarra said the CMRC has everything under one roof to meet your fitness goals at a great low membership price.

All members are given unlimited access to the Sam Ketcham Memorial Pool, the Fitness Centre, drop-in aqua fit classes and multiple programs and events tailored toward children. Some of the featured programs include new lazer skates and freshly-designed swimming events.

The CMRC features multiple options for fitness including dryland classes, Low Impact Fit, TRX, toned down TRX, Balance Agility, Yogalates, Cardio Class and a Pump It Up Bootcamp class.

Aquafit classes include Lunch Fit, Afternoon Aquafit, Evening Aquafit and Aqua Zumba.

“Another new program we have this year is called Functional Fitness from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesdays for persons that have attended Interior Health’s hip or knee rehabilitation program, or people may want to participate if they have some sort of chronic illness and just want to start moving and to get back into fitness,” Skarra said.

“Functional Fitness is a walking program in the arena lobby with stretching and strengthening — we’ll have chairs, etc., set up so people, if they can’t make the whole loop for the first time, they can go from there.”

Back after positive results last year is also the CMRC’s Eating Habits Busting program — an enhanced membership providing a 12-month class where participants learn how to change their lifestyle by adjusting their diet and exercise.

“Three times a year there will be a professional coming in — a dietician, someone talking about making physical changes and someone talking about exercise,” she said.

A Harvest Run planned for Oct. 18 is another special event added to the CMRC’s lineup for this year.

“This is a five-kilometre walk, run or bike and it’s the first time we’re doing a fall event,” said Suzanne Cochrane, the City’s Recreation Programmer.

“This event is very similar to the Nutrition Run that occurs in the spring.  Participants are able to come on the day of the event, there is not pre-registration process, and no fees for this fun active fall event.”

Also new this year, CMRC staff have committed to offering more programs for youth.

“Every Thursday prior to a Pro-D Day we’re going to have a tween night pool party,” she said.

“The parties we have hosted so far this year have been really successful. The next one is a Monster Mash Pool Bash and will be a Halloween-themed event on Thursday, Oct. 22.”

The Tween Pool Night is for children 8 to 12 years old on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. Youth with the Grade 5 Initiative get in free to all our events and swims. The following day on October 23rd is a Family Pool Night from 6:30 to 8 p.m.  The decorations and games will allow for tons of family fun.

The new lazer skates are scheduled from December through to March, along with other pool events from October to February, such as a Swim with Santa on Dec. 4 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and a Tropical Swim Night on January 22nd from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The City’s Events and Marketing Coordinator, Ken MacInnis, encouraged everyone to pick up the City’s 2015 Active Living Guide, available at the CMRC and at various places around Williams Lake.

“One thing that always strikes me is you have the traditional things like drop-in fitness classes, the pool, but what always impresses me is we have quite the gamut of programs,” he said.

“[The Active Living Guide] is really worth checking out and you never know what you might see that peaks your interest.”

Memberships to the CMRC are available on a monthly or annual basis, along with 10-time punch pass cards.

For more on the CMRC and its programs visit www.williamslake.ca/130/Recreation-Services.