T-Ball, hiking, baking or hockey – it’s your pick

TINA ROSE

Iqaluit youth won’t lack for things to do this summer. There are activities planned to whet any appetite, and they’re organized for every week through July and August.

Last year was the first time the Iqaluit skate park was in operation, and this year, it’s open every day for the summer.

A modular park, it can be moved to change the flow of the park, or put away so the facility can be used for other purposes. Safety gear can be rented for a nominal fee. Proceeds from equipment rentals are being put towards the purchase of a half-pipe for the skate park. The skate park is used for skateboards and in-line skates, and by youth as young as six years old.

Public swims are a great opportunity to take a quick dip to cool off on hot summer days. The swimming pool in the Astro Hill complex will be open all summer.

On Friday nights, the city will host teen nights at the Arctic Winter Games arena. Various activities will be arranged, including free use of the skate park, or organized sports and special activities.

Summer day camp will be running for children aged five to 12. The camp of approximately 110 kids runs from July 5 to August 19 and includes activities such as arts and crafts, sports, baking, hiking, theme events, and excursions to the library. For children in Apex, the city hosts a half-day drop-in camp.

Ball hockey fans should make their way to the Arctic Winter Games Arena on Tuesday evenings. At Nakasuk field, on Wednesdays there will be softball and on Thursdays there will be T-ball and ultimate Frisbee.

Saturdays are reserved for special events all summer long. On June 25 it was the grand reopening of the skate park, marked with a barbecue. Skateboard enthusiasts turned out ready to grind the rails and skate the quarter-pipe.

Upcoming Saturday special events include a three-on-three basketball tournament on July 9, a ball hockey tournament on July 16, a male and female soccer tournament on July 23, a disco-roller party on July 30, a golf tournament for teenagers and adults on August 6, and on August 13, a kids fun day.

QIA will be running its Sprouts program again this summer. Sprouts, which started as an after school program, is now in it’s eighth year.

Across the territory, recreation coordinators say they need more funding in order to improve the programs they’re offering. Funds are necessary to buy the equipment needed to keep kids busy during their idle summer months.