Activity and Reception Centre (Photo: Shane Clausing / EverythingGP, staff)

By Shane Clausing

rec centre open

Smith subdivision activity and reception centre now open to public

Jan 10, 2022 | 2:12 PM

The City of Grande Prairie has announced that its new activity and reception centre in the Smith subdivision is now open to the public.

The new facility was approved in September 2020. Funds from the federal ICIP-COVID 19 Resilience Stream in the amount of $3.2 million were allocated for this project, along with the 20 per cent matching component (municipal contribution of $800,000) required by the grant.

The new facility is designed to serve many recreational and leisure needs in the community, mainly for activities that have limited opportunity to play at other venues and to promote youth drop-in opportunities.

Sports Development, Wellness and Culture Manager Stephanie Cajolais says she thinks the new facility will be a big success.

“It is hoped that this facility will serve many recreational and leisure needs in the community. The intent was that it will provide activities that have limited opportunity to play in other venues and also promote youth drop-in opportunities, which is important.

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The facility will allow people of all ages to play basketball, volleyball, pickleball, badminton, tennis, as well as use the mobile skatepark.

Cajolais says they are also busy getting programs up and running at the facility.

“We have some drop-in activities already scheduled,” said Cajolais

“There’s a family time from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. a couple of days a week. There is also drop-in tennis and pickleball, teen drop-in available Monday to Friday from 3:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. All of our programing opportunities can be found at the city website.”

(Photo: Shane Clausing / EverythinGP, staff)

(Photo: Shane Clausing / EverythinGP, staff)

(Photo: Shane Clausing / EverythinGP, staff)

The facility can also serve as a reception centre for local response to a large-scale emergency or disaster that could impact residents in the region.

“The opening of the Activity and Reception Centre is a huge milestone in our community,” stated Mayor Jackie Clayton.

“Through federal relief funding received during the pandemic, we were able to bring additional recreational amenities to more areas of our City, helping provide greater opportunity for more youth, families and individuals to access sport and recreation opportunities across the community.

“We welcome all residents to visit the facility and explore the new features available to stay active year-long,” she added.

Programming and amenities at the facility were determined in part through community consultation to help determine activities, hours of operation, and inclusivity/accessibility features to best suit community demand.