Busy month ahead for Carbonear’s Rec staff
By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
As summer races into August, staff with the Town of Carbonear’s recreation department are hurrying along too.
Between municipal celebrations and sports events, the town known as the hub of the bay, will have a full calendar.
Things kick off on the first Monday of August with the celebration of Carbonear Day, and then progress into the weekend with Carbonear Days.
This year the Town will be changing things up a bit, director of recreation Rob Button told council at its meeting on July 17. For instance, this year they will be hosting an old-fashioned carnival day, designed to appeal to families in the area.
The 15th annual World Cup of Tiddly is set for August 4, during the Carbonear Days weekend, as well.
Town staff and volunteers will also be involved with the NL Summer Games, which begin on August 10. While Bay Roberts is the official host of the games, Carbonear is providing its pool for the swimming portion of the Games. Swimming events will take place August 11 to 13. Button noted the Games’ organizers are still looking for volunteers, highlighting the task of distributing food to athletes.
Button also discussed Street Ballers, a street basketball tournament that will take place this fall. The first Street Ballers tournament was held last year. It involves three-on-three basketball games consisting of youths from Grades 4 to 12. Registration is open until August 16. The tournament will take place on September 14 and 15.
In other Rec department news:
The much-anticipated AquaZip’N equipment has arrived at the pool. The pool swing rope was ordered some time ago and staff are now trying to choose a date to install it. Since Carbonear will be providing its pool for the swimming portion of the NL Summer Games next month, determining the best time to install the rope could prove more difficult as they are not sure whether it would need to be removed for the swimming events. Nonetheless, the new feature will soon be available to the public, Button noted.
And on a related note, Button reported visitation numbers at the pool are up from last year, and the facility is ahead on revenue by “fifteen or sixteen thousand dollars.”
Button said it’s been a busy time at the recreation complex as there is a four-week softball tournament taking place. But crews are staying on top of regular maintenance and will be “busy keeping those facilities up to par,” he added. That includes upgrading the bleachers. Meanwhile, the new lights for the ballfield have been installed. People played under the lights the night before the council meeting, Button noted, and the illumination proved sufficient.
Button also highlighted the Town’s ongoing summer program. He said the children have really been enjoying it and there has been a lot of activity around the recreation complex. “Smiling faces, happy campers, which is always good to see,” said Button. “It’s always nice to have our facilities vibrant.”