The Stony Mountain Community Centre will open its doors to families on Monday, Feb. 16 with the launch of its first-ever Family Fun Day, offering skating, games, food and local vendors in a bid to bring residents together during the winter months.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Stony Mountain Community Centre. Public skating will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by stick-and-puck from 1 to 3 p.m. Helmets are required for stick-and-puck participants, who are asked to bring their own pucks.
Hot chocolate and popcorn will be served throughout the day, and families will have the opportunity to browse vendor tables featuring local makers and small businesses. Organizers are seeking eight to 10 vendors, with those interested invited to contact rnldeprez@hotmail.ca.
The Family Fun Day marks a milestone for the community centre, which has undergone extensive renovations in recent years, including a lower-level addition with new dressing rooms, an updated hall and upper-level viewing area, new rink bleachers and improvements to the outdoor viewing area heating.
“This is an opportunity for people who may not be part of organized activities to enjoy the centre and for those new to the community to see how the space can be used,” said Lisa Deprez, a board member with the community centre. “The idea came from a desire to create a welcoming opportunity for families to spend quality time together during the cold weather we’ve had.”
Deprez said the theme of the day centres on family, connection and community, with an emphasis on celebrating time together close to home.
Winter programming like this is especially important, she added, as colder months can feel isolating for families, particularly those with young children. The centre hopes events such as Family Fun Day will encourage residents to get out, connect with neighbours and remain engaged locally.
The mix of public skating and stick-and-puck was designed to appeal to families with children of different ages and comfort levels. Younger children and casual skaters can take part earlier in the day, while older youth and more confident skaters can participate later, creating a shared experience with flexible options.
The event is intended to be relaxed and pressure-free, welcoming everyone from first-time skaters to those who simply want to watch, visit or enjoy refreshments.
Local vendors will add another community-focused element to the day, supporting small businesses while enhancing the overall experience for families. Planned vendors include a jewelry maker, 3D-printing creations, baking and woodworking, among others.
Two free prize draws will also take place, with one hour of free ice rental and one hour of free hall rental up for grabs. Ballots will be available at no cost. A 50/50 draw will be held at 3 p.m., with proceeds supporting future events and ongoing maintenance at the community centre.
Deprez said previous community events, including craft nights, quiz nights, fundraisers and social activities, have consistently drawn strong attendance, particularly when they are family-friendly. Early response to the Family Fun Day has also been positive, with families expressing appreciation for having a local event to attend.
If successful, the community centre hopes to make the Family Fun Day an annual tradition.
“The community centre is more than just a building,” Deprez said. “It’s a hub for connection, activity and support — a place where families gather, memories are made and the community comes together.”
