STAR CENTRE
I hear the new Trout Lake Community Centre has a huge fitness centre, which is great considering smaller rooms across the city are constantly packed.
Residents can take a tour of the new $21.2 million centre and see for themselves what it looks like.. Residents can also register for free classes held during Welcome Back Week, which runs now through Jan. 22.
Besides the fitness centre, the building located in John Hendry Park, 3360 Victoria Drive, is home to a community centre, NHL-sized ice rink, performing arts, pottery and art studios, multipurpose rooms, youth and seniors rooms, full-sized gym and a pre-school. Trout Lake Community Centre is jointly operated by the park board and Grandview Community Centre Association. Together, they'll offer more than 200 programs for all ages including, art, dance, fitness, skating lessons, yoga, day camps, drop-in sports, indoor cycling, cooking classes, martial arts and more. The 32,000-square-foot centre was built to meet high environmental standards that qualify for LEED Gold certification. It includes many features designed to save energy and water.
Information regarding registration for programs and classes at the centre and ice rink for Winter 2012 sessions can be found at vancouver.ca/parks. Starting this week, the community centre is open Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A grand opening celebration for the Trout Lake Community Centre is scheduled for Feb. 18.
PARK POLISH
It looks like Carleton Park is next up for improvements.
The park board wants to hear from Collingwood residents with an interest in possible improvements to the park at an open house Jan. 26 from 5: 30 to 7: 30 p.m. at Collingwood Baptist Church, 4847 Joyce St. (enter from Monmouth Avenue side).
PUBLIC PURSE
"It's your city. It's your budget."
That's the catchphrase the city is using, and that you're going to want to keep in mind, as the 2012 operating budget is discussed at an information session Jan. 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. at City Hall.
The city is also asking for input from residents online through a survey and is offering an opportunity for residents to play councillor for the day.
If you want to share your priorities regarding the park board or any other city department, go to vancouver.ca and download the Budget Basics Booklet to learn more how the budget works. Once you know what you're doing, fill out the online survey detailing your priorities. The city hasn't released many details concerning the Be a Councillor for a Day opportunity, but I'll update this column as I get more information.
SHOVEL READY
This week's snowfall is an ideal reminder of the city's "Snow Angel" program created to match residents unable to shovel snow from their sidewalk with ablebodied volunteers willing to help.
I wrote about the program in December prior to a snowstorm that had been forecast but never materialized. But now it looks like we're in for enough snow to be concerned. If you need help shovelling snow or if you're willing to lend a hand to a neighbour, call the city's 311 contact system.
sthomas@vancourier.com
