by Sylene Argent
“The energy is amazing,” Catie Carter, Community Relations Coordinator with Cogeco, said while watching many youths improve their biking skills on an obstacle course set up in the parking lot of the Essex Centre Sports Complex.
This Saturday morning event was hosted as part of Cogeco’s exciting Bike Day. Cogeco partnered with the Town of Essex and Bike Windsor Essex to host the event.
This is an initiative to provide youths – aged five to 12 – with bike safety and education through fun and interactive stations, Carter said. “It is the perfect way for kids and parents to have fun, while kids improve bike skills.”
In addition to navigating through the obstacle course that had the young cyclist steer through pylons, ride over large ramps, and stay steady over a teetertotter, the youths were taught about the importance of wearing a properly fitted helmet and were able to get their bikes checked to ensure they were operational ahead of the summer break.
“It is great to get out into the community and give back,” Carter said.
Katie Bortolotto, Assistant Manager of Recreation Programs, said the Town of Essex was pleased to partner with Bike Windsor Essex and Cogeco to host the Bike Day.
“The kids really enjoyed it and learned a lot about bike safety,” she said.
The Cogeco Bike Day was one of the free featured events hosted as part of the Town of Essex declaring June as Recreation and Parks Month. The events hosted to date have generated a lot of interest from the community, and Bortolotto is excited to host the upcoming PT Stay and Play on Tuesday from 9-10 am, a rec swim on Friday from 8-9am, and open gym from 12:30-2pm on Sunday.
In addition, a free Dance Fusion session will take place at Sadler’s Nature Park on June 27 from 6-6:45 pm, for which registration is required.
Already, the Town of Essex has had great interest in its summer day camp program, with registration nearly full already.
“We have a fun summer planned,” she said.
For those who missed out on the Cogeco Bike Day, the Town will host a Water Safety Day at Colchester Harbour on July 22, from 10-2. A bike rodeo will be held in conjunction with this event.
Call 519-776-7336 x 1052 or log onto essexconnect.ca to learn more.