HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-09-16, Page 34Page 34 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, September 16, 2009
YMCA offers full fall schedule for young and old alike
Gerard Cruces
signal -star staff'
Fall is gearing up to be a busy time
at the God:,rich YMCA, with changes
to programming, the pool and even the
cafe happening.
Manager of marketing, communica-
tions and special events at the YMCA,
Jane Dawson, said this is the first year
the Streetscape Cafe was tendered out
for non -Y staff, and the successful bid-
ders were Martin Fraser and Kelly Bu-
chanan of the Goderich Grill.
"We just felt the customers would be
better served this way," she said. "It's a
new direction... something different."
The cafe was open during summer
hockey camps and Dawson said the
right combination of menu changes and
hours will be nothing short of a success
this winter.
Poolside, Dawson said the aquatics
programs will feature drop-in family'
swimming, as well as the regular class-
es offered through the YMCA.
Programming started this Monday,
September 14, and runs through to June
of 2010.
The Huron Y Storm, a learn -to -
swim program, offers kids ages 6-12
the opportunity to
work with certified
coaches to advance
their skills in the
pool.
Once the funda-
mentals are down,
there is plenty of
opportunity for ad-
vancement, as the
Huron Hurricanes
will once again call
the Y home, as will
the Goderich Dis-
trict Collegiate In-
stitute Vikings.
For a full list of
swim programs,
visit the YMCA
or log on to www.
ymcasar.or,.
SAT. SEPT. 19 7:ZOpm
Goderich vs. Clinton
Maitland Recreation Centre
Game night sponsor and Knights tickets courtesy...
The Park Mouse
Meanwhile, child and youth supervi-
sor Vanessa MacDonald said drop-in
youth programs will continue to of-
fer fun and fitness to kids with indoor
playgrounds, slides, active games and
climbing equipment.
"The Y Kids Club lets boys and girls
play games, do crafts and make new
friends," she said.
The Leaders in Training program al-
lows kids ages 10-14 a chance to build
teamwork and leadership skills, and
MacDonald said it also gets them ac-
tively meeting new people in the com-
munity.
Adding to the list of staples like
soccer and foil fencing, this year the
YMCA will be offering dance for chil-
dren and youth.
"We've already had a bunch of inqui-
ries," she said. "It's pretty exciting for
me."
Looking after the wellness of the
adult crowd, Kathy Ross said there are
a few notable changes this year, includ-
ing Nia, a musical movement class;
pickle ball, a tennis/badminton hybrid
enjoyed by seniors and yoga programs
outside of the regular group activities.
Whether it's the cycle circuit, the
step -fit program or the ever -popular
aqua -fit, she said there are myriad op-
portunities for adults to get fit in town.
"We're working out the entire body
from head to toe," she said. "We want
to appeal to all the population... the
whole community."
This year, she said the YMCA is of-
fering ju-jitsu, and she is always on
the lookout for more programs to keep
things fresh.
By participating in a number of dif-
fering activities, she said patrons of the
Y can combat the plateau reached by
people who do the same workout rou-
tinely.
"It helps especially with weight loss,"
she said. "Change up your fitness pro-
gram and switch up the muscles being
worked out."
In addition to the health benefits,
Ross said group fitness activities are a
great way to socialize, meet new people
and gain confidence.
Of course, she said, none of the pro-
gramming would be possible without
the strong core of volunteer instructors
that help make the YMCA a go -to place
for health and fitness in Goderich.
"Most of our instructors are volun-
tees," she said. "I can't tell you how
much we appreciate them.
"Without them, we wouldn't have
anything."
ONTARIO JUNIOR CITIZEN
OF THE YEAR AWARDS
If you know a young person, aged 6 to 17, who is involved in worthwhile
community service; a special person who is contributing while living with
a limitation; a youth who has performed an act of heroism; or a 'good kid'
who shows a commitment to making life better for others, doing more than
is normally expected of someone their age — HELP US RECOGNIZE THEIR
CONTRIBUTION — NOMINATE THEM TODAY!
Contact this newspaper or
the Ontario Community
Newspapers Association at
Nominations will
be accepted until
November 3oth
Photo by Gerard Creces
Pickled tink
Healthy Hearts program director Ellie Brewster and Cliff Arnold play a game of
pickleball Tuesday at the YMCA gym. The game is similar to tennis and badmin-
ton and is played with wooden paddles and a wiffle ball. A new addition to the
Y's lineup, pickleball is popular with seniors, particularly in the United States,
and is offered every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.