by Sylene Argent
There were plenty of opportunities for area families to spend some time together on Monday, which was recognized as Family Day across the Country.
In celebration of the day designated for families to spend time together, special programming was hosted in Essex, Kingsville, Tecumseh, and Lakeshore.
In Essex, families had the opportunity to lace up their skates and take advantage of ice time at the Essex Centre Sports Complex and at the Harrow & Colchester South Community Centre. They also had the option to throw on their swimsuits and goggles to enjoy some time in the pool at the Essex Recreation Complex.
Family Day swimming and skating sessions are traditional activities offered through the Town of Essex, but in an attempt to attract even more families to Town-operated facilities, a Kids Zone was also hosted inside the gymnasium at the Recreation Complex/Essex District High School.
“The whole family is out celebrating and playing,” Cynthia Cakebread, Essex’s Manager of Recreation and Culture, said of the new Family Day Fun Zone. “We have a whole bunch of games, inflatables, challenges, and a colouring contest.”
Cakebread said she was impressed with the turnout at the new event, which far surpassed their expectations. Around 100 individuals enjoyed the activities offered through the new Family Day Fun Zone.
“This was the first time we offered the Family Day Fun Zone, which provided more fun and more activities, so families could spend more time together,” Cakebread said. “By doing something unique, we captured more people, who may not have come for the regular program options. We definitely want to do this again.”
Cakebread said staff members at the Essex Recreation Complex were fortunate to be able to offer the Family Day programming because of support from the Town of Essex and two key partners, Windsor-Essex Communities in Motion and Pathway 2 Potential, which provided funding for some of the activities.
In addition to the activities hosted in Essex for Family Day, events were also hosted in neighbouring municipalities.
In Lakeshore, at the Atlas Tube Centre, families were able to enjoy badminton, leisure swims, skating, and basketball.
At the Kingsville Arena, those who were eight-years-old and over, were able to take a CPR class. Families also enjoyed a free public skating session, thanks to Kingsville Parks and Recreation, and a free skating and snack session, thanks to the Local Home Team and the Kingsville Community Policing Committee.
In addition, at the Tecumseh Arena, Windsor-Essex Communities in Motion sponsored a free public skate session.