Summer is almost here, and preparations are in full swing around Canora, said Aaron Herriges, director of leisure services, Town of Canora.
The planned date for the opening of the swimming pool is June 1, assuming there are no unforeseen setbacks along the way.
Aqua Fit is set to start on June 3, with morning sessions twice a week and evening sessions twice a week. Lane swim will begin on June 3, and run two evenings per week.
Red Cross swimming lessons will be available in June, July and August. A Red Cross water safety instructor course will be held June 6 to 8.
Herriges said projects planned for the pool and surrounding area during the summer include: reviving the grass area with aeration, overseeding and irrigation; purchasing more lawn chairs for the public; ordering new signage for the pools, and a variety of minor painting and repair projects around the facility.
The pool has a total of 14 staff members for the summer.
Mina Mykytyshyn is the manager, with Kelly Baziuk as the assistant manager. Janayah Merriam and Abbey Sakal are full-time staff, while Mackenzie Gulka, Emma Mykytyshyn, Jill Gulka, Ashley Stusek, Garrett Baziuk and Brett Popoff are part-time staff members. Carter Matychuk, Zane Chopik, Drea Beblow and Emily Owchar will be working on a casual basis.
The season is well underway for Canora Minor Baseball with a total of seven teams in various age groups. This includes a T-ball team, a junior rookie team, a rookie team, two mosquito teams, a peewee team and a bantam team. The minor ball season runs to the end of June.
The Canora Slo Pitch League is made up of nine teams for the 2018 season. Games began on May 8 and the season will run to late August. Spectators are welcome. More teams had expressed interest in joining, but presently there are not enough playable diamonds available to accommodate a larger league. Herriges is working with the slo-pitch league on the necessary diamond upgrades.
The Canora Supers are once again playing in the SESBL (Southeast Senior Baseball League) for the 2018 season, with a 16-game schedule. The season began on May 14, and playoffs are expected to get underway in early to mid-July. The Supers appreciate support from Canora baseball fans, said Greg Andreychuk, player/manager.
The Canora Golf and Country Club is planning for another full season. Tuesday Fun Nights include Texas Scramble (best ball) format. Thursdays are Men’s Nights with skins games and progressive birdie holes. Weekend tournaments will be held throughout the summer, with further information available at the clubhouse.
The Chase Kraynick “Pay It Forward” Splash Park will open for the summer in June.
The River Ridge Fish and Game gun show is coming up on June 9 to 10 at the Sylvia Fedoruk Centre.
Canora in Bloom will be held from July 7 to 15. The Saturday Night outdoor family movie is being planned for July 7. Herriges said the movie is still to be determined.
The Canora Golf and Country Club Hole-In-One tournament will be held on July 8 with 18 shortened holes to improve the odds of winning prizes.
Canora in Bloom swimming pool programming will take place from July 9 to 14. Activities will include a slip n’ slide, a barbecue, ice cream and other pool activities still to be announced.
Herriges said a Fun Night sponsored by Canora Leisure Services will be held on July 10. A teen movie night is planned for July 11.
A Laser Tag event for ages six and over will be held on July 12 at the Sylvia Fedoruk Centre, followed by the Old Fashioned Picnic in the Park on July 13, with lunch by Canora Wheatland Lioness club.
The Canora in Bloom Music Festival is set for July 14 at King George Park. Gates will open at 1 p.m. with live performance to begin at 2 p.m., rain or shine. Scheduled performers include country artists Brody Siebert and Samara Yung, as well as rock acts League of Wolves, Men Without Shame and Seven Levels, an up-and-coming Canora-based group. The headline performer is the legendary Kim Mitchell. Herriges encourages concertgoers to prepared for good or bad weather, with rain gear and plenty of sunscreen.
Tickets are $30, available in advance only.
There will be food concession at the park and an ATM on-site, with no pets allowed. This is a licensed event, with I.D. required. Minors purchasing tickets must be accompanied by a parent.
Campsites and open space will be available at Canora Campground.
A major event coming up in August will be Ag Days on August 11 to 12. Included will be Gymkhana, chuck wagons, kids’ novelties, live music and steak dinners.
The newly-named Canora Crush Soccer Club meets at the soccer pitch on Fourth Street, Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. The club includes players aged four to 11 and has 50 registered players this year. Teams will be participating in the Yorkton tournament and Jamboree in June. The annual windup is planned for June 24, and will include a soccer match pitting youth against parents, grandparents and anyone else who cares to join in, followed by a barbecue and a trip to the Chase Kraynick Splash Park. Everyone is welcome.
Kids Korner is based at the Kids Korner Youth Centre, with a variety of activities planned for the summer.
Parents and Tots runs Tuesdays and Thursdays until June 26. Discovery Music will be held every Monday until June 18. June 9 will be Movie and Pizza Night with a possible matinee for little ones. On June 21 Main Street Mobile will be coming to Kids Korner, with games and activities for children five years of age and younger to do with their families. A Summer Solstice Dance will be held on June 23.
During Canora in Bloom on July 7, Family Fun Zone will be held at King George Park. The day will include races, carnival games, a balloon artist, face painting, sparkle tattoos, art in the park, food and much more. There will be a Family Selfie Scavenger Hunt on July 9.
July 16 is the date for the second annual Firefighter Challenge course. Movie Night Matinees are being planned for July 21 and August 11.
Day camps will be running most of the summer with a different theme incorporated into each week. Some examples are: Pirate Week, First Responders Week, Christmas in July Week, Mad Science Week, S.T.E.M and Craziness Week, just too name a few. Spots are limited so early registration is encouraged.
Kids Korner will be closed from July 28 to August 7.
New events and activities for all ages are constantly being added.
Information is regularly updated on the Facebook page. Those interested in soccer or Kids Korner, or volunteering to help with activities are encouraged to contact Tricia Bedore for further information.
Those interested in any Canora events are encouraged to regularly check canora.com for the event calendar and programming details, said Herriges.
