With the wet fall weather, it might be wise for Nanaimo residents to head indoors to pursue recreational activities.
The City of Nanaimo’s parks and recreation department recommends a number of events at its swimming pools as a way to get active and even hang with family and friends.
Hoping to capitalize on the popularity of the upcoming release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Nanaimo Aquatic Centre will have a screening of last year’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Nov. 27 from 1 to 3 p.m.
“We’re going to play last year’s Star Wars movie on the big screen that we have down in the deep end ... we’ve got a bunch of inner tubes to float around the pool and we’ll do some lightsaber duels in the pool and a bunch of other games and crafts for the kids to do,” said Michial Seginowich, city aquatics recreation coordinator.
Just in time for the holiday season, there will be a Dunk with Santa event on Dec. 18 between 1-3 p.m. at the aquatic centre. Jolly old Saint Nick will be in attendance, handing out candy canes and volunteering for the dunk tank.
There will also be an opportunity for parents to drop their children off during the holiday shopping season, with Drop and Shop events Dec. 22 and Dec. 23 between 4:30-8:30 p.m. There will be crafts for the children to work on and they will also go for a swim in the pool, said Seginowich.
Beban Park Pool has the Family Pool Party Fridays from 7-9 p.m. excluding statutory holidays until March. Admission is at a reduced rate of $3 per person.
“We just wanted to do a weekly themed pool party for people that could consistently come every week,” said Taz Hartwick, aquatics recreation coordinator. “We have an aqua joust, which is an inflatable that people sit on and they have two inflatable batons that they push each other off with.”
Hartwick also said there activities, such as an Amazing Race-type event where people get prizes and a water running mat, which he said is like a giant slip ‘n’ slide.
“It’s a great time for the family, it’s great exercise, it’s also really cheap too … it’s a good way to have a family night for the end of the week,” said Hartwick.
For more information, please see the city Activity Guide under the parks and recreation tab at www.nanaimo.ca.