New rec. program at MEC looking to build connections
A new drop-in program at Winkler’s Meridian Exhibition Centre is bringing people of all walks of life together each week for a few hours of playful fun.
The city’s recreation department in partnership with Central Station Community Centre and the Eden Health Care Services housing and supports program earlier this year launched the Community Connections program, which takes over the turf space every Tuesday morning from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Anyone and everyone is invited to stop by during that time to enjoy free turf activities such as casual soccer or a myriad of lawn games, or to take a few laps around the walking track. Snacks and drinks are also provided.
“There just seemed to be a need for a space to get people out of the house and out doing something,” said Winkler recreation programmer Meg Dias.
“Since I started my position here, the goal has been to fill the building as many hours as we can,” she noted. “And if you’re ever here on evenings and weekends, it’s packed. But how do we get that feeling during the [week]day? So we’ve been trying to fill the hours with programming that meets the needs.”
MEC already has turf programs up and running for seniors, homeschool families, and parents with young children, so adding this new one to the mix with a much broader focus fit right in.
“It’s open to anybody, and I would love to see more people using it simply because I think it shows the diversity of our community,” Dias said. “It helps to welcome people and make people feel included in our ever-growing community … this isn’t just a hockey rink or a field space for soccer or baseball—it is a place for community.”
Crystal Harsant, a support worker for Eden’s Central Commons facility, was on hand at last week’s session with several residents.
“Just to get out—even if it’s just to walk around the track—and get some exercise, get out into the community. We love it,” she said. “We’ve come with at least five to seven people every week, and then there’s other places, like Linden Place, Gateway, coming as well.”
Participants last week spent part of the two hours reacquainting themselves with the rules of dodgeball, having a blast getting back in touch with their inner child.
“That’s the whole point, isn’t it?” Harsant said. “Playing badminton or dodgeball, doing those things you did as a kid. It’s okay to have that time to just play sometimes.”
Community Connections will run at the MEC at least through April.
If you have an idea for a rec. program that could make use of the city’s facilities, Dias urges you to contact her: she’s always open to new ideas.
“We try to open up the space as often as we can when it’s not rented out,” she said. “We want to get people moving.”
For the complete list of MEC programs, head to themeridianexhibitioncentre.ca.
