KERROBERT — Even though the weather is still showing traces of summer, recreation programs in Kerrobert have transitioned to fall and winter.
Recreation Director Bobbi Hebron says, “The only downfall to the swimming season was the inability to locate a leak at the paddling pool which will result in looking to bring in help to assist in locating the troublesome leak. The water loss was not substantial.”
Hebron also said due to the inability to acquire a missing part for the boiler, the paddling pool was not heated this summer and it did affect usage, however, on the hot days, families were still in attendance.
“We also allowed people to use the main pool at paddling pool prices and we are happy to announce that the part has since arrived,” adds Hebron.
Kerrobert Swimming Pool saw 4,700 visits over the summer.
Additionally, the summer storm in August amounted to four solid days of cleaning and pool closure to complete the cleanup task. Hebron acknowledges that staff struggled the remainder of summer to deal with the excess sand that invaded the pool, which ended up in more hours put into daily cleaning.
Lifeguard staffing is an ongoing situation in many small communities with Kerrobert being no exception. Hebron says, “Another challenge was training our pool staff to prepare for next year and the ‘retirement’ of our most senior guards and instructors, as well as transition from Red Cross lessons to the new Swim for Life lessons offered through the Lifesaving Society.”
For seniors in the community, the town of Kerrobert offers Walk this Way and Shuffle Club programs, which generally begin in October. The Seniors’ Club and Pioneer Haven also offer senior programming.
Rink readies for upcoming season
Kerrobert hockey fans will once again be without Junior B Team, West Central Rage, which means the rink will open later on Oct. 1.
Hebron says she works to fill the times left vacant by the Rage and works with the girls’ teams, the AA teams, the carded teams and local teams for more games and tournaments. The loss of Rage practises are mostly filled with AA teams who have requested regular practises in Kerrobert.
“The bigger challenge is Kerrobert Minor Hockey teams are more often combined with Luseland, Dodsland and Plenty. Kerrobert Minor Hockey then works to share those practise and game times between communities resulting in less ice time being used by Kerrobert Minor Hockey. In efforts to increase registration of Kerrobert kids, KMH is offering a learn-to-skate program this year and, so far, there are 12 participants registered.”
Some changes are noticeable at the arena this season and including painting and repairs completed over the summer. Kerrobert Tiger orange has brightened up the stands, new matting was installed, there is a new light at the back door, repairs were made to the Zamboni pit and the culvert behind the rink. Hebron says they are still in the process of replacing two of the furnaces.
The curling club also has some exciting improvements to share in the future and they expect to be open in November.
The Kerrobert Cultural Centre housed in the Kerrobert Courthouse was busy throughout the summer with the time capsule opening and special exhibits in the Kerrobert Courtroom Gallery. The gallery will continue the Amy Willans journey to wellness exhibit into October. The extensive courthouse steps restoration means the front stairs are now usable with work continuing this fall to complete the project.
Sept. 16 will be another exciting fall event with the grand opening of the permanent lights installed at the Kerrobert football field, with several football games, food trucks and other activity taking place to an event flavour.
Next up on the event calendar is the harvest festival slated for Thanksgiving weekend. The intention was to provide committees an opportunity to hold a fundraising event, a place for businesses to promote their goods and services and to bring the community together in one large celebration.
At present the weekend includes a Friday night lights Rebels football game along with self-guided tours at the school. There will be a Saturday parade, a lunch at Pioneer Haven and afternoon tours and activities at the museum, library and art gallery.
Saturday night of the weekend’s festivities will include a U15 AA Wheat Kings game a well as the first Kerrobert Tigers home game followed by entertainment at Prairie Community Centre. Sunday there will be pancake breakfast at Pioneer Haven.
Hebron says there is still room for anyone, any business or organization, or group to be part of the weekend’s festivities and to contact the recreation office for more details or register your activity.
