Birthday party is fitting theme for 50th anniversary edition of Play Day

trevor.kenney — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 16:32:56 +0000

It’s a year-long celebration at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in honour of our 50th anniversary, so it only makes sense that the Play Day 2017 theme is one big family birthday party.

The sixth annual Family Day play event takes place Monday, February 20, 2017 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness. Initiated in 2012 as a way to celebrate family and the benefits of play, the U of L has found a willing partner in 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union in promoting community wellness.

The sixth annual Family Day play event takes place Monday, February 20, 2017 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness.

“It’s hard to believe we’ve been doing this six years now and every year it seems to reach another level,” says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon. “We’re extremely grateful to have the support of 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union and the hundreds of volunteers who enable us to put on this family friendly event.”

Play Day activities this year include tried-and-true favourites such as the bouncy castle, climbing wall, floor hockey, basketball, face painting and swimming, along with a suite of new ASPIRE zones that will challenge and excite family members. These zones include activities related to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Let’s Talk Science program, Brain Awareness Week, the Centre for Oral History and Tradition, Destination Exploration, biology, AGILITY, art and creativity and the history club.

Jason Sentes, President and Chief Executive Officer of 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union, says Play Day has become a community tradition they are proud to have helped establish.

“We put great value on the opportunity for families to connect with one another through play activity, and we always look forward to partnering with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in presenting this event to the southern Alberta community,” says Sentes.

Play is essential for physical and emotional growth, for mental, intellectual and educational development, and for acquiring social and behavioural skills.

“It’s so important for families to recognize the value of play and of family bonding time,” adds Mahon. “We all have busy lives and face demands that take us away from our families, so it is essential to take some time and find a balance that incorporates simple play into our day. Community wellness begins when we take care of ourselves in this way.”

And the best part of Play Day – it’s all free! Admission and parking are free and people are encouraged to bring gym shoes, comfortable clothing and a swimsuit to maximize their opportunity for fun.

Partnership with 1st Choice Savings helps bring community together

trevor.kenney — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 21:14:06 +0000

The 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness will be the site for a pair of exciting community events in the coming days, thanks to the strong relationship between the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union.

On Saturday evening, 1st Choice Savings is sponsoring the final Canada West regular season home games for the Pronghorns men’s and women’s basketball teams (games at 5 and 7 p.m. against the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan) by presenting a Free Student Night. With the Horns men’s team seeking a playoff berth, the evening promises to be wildly entertaining.

During a break in the action, 1st Choice Savings will be making a significant donation to support the facility that bears its name – the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness.

“Over the years, this outstanding facility has become a hub for community activity by hosting major sporting events, serving as the home court for Pronghorn Athletics and acting as an important venue for a variety of initiatives, such as being a site for community flu clinics,” says Dr. Mike Mahon, President and Vice-Chancellor of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. “And, of course, we can’t forget about our annual Play Day.”

Now in its fourth year, Play Day has seen southern Alberta families flock to the 1st Choice Savings Centre for the annual festivities. This year’s superhero-themed event will take place on Monday, February 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“These next few weeks are very special to us at 1st Choice Savings as we get to experience the great relationship we have with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge,” says Brian Kinahan (BMgt ’79), president & CEO of 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union and a U of L alumnus. “Through our support of this building and the annual Play Day event, to sponsoring this weekend’s basketball games, we are so grateful to have a part in opening this wonderful facility to southern Albertans. We invite everyone to come out, enjoy some excellent basketball and have a fun day of play with us. We sincerely thank the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for these opportunities to celebrate our vibrant and exciting community.”

The activity list for Play Day 2015 will include classic favourites such as the cardboard box free build, the basketball, floor hockey and bouncy castle activity zones as well as the ever-popular face-painting area. Those looking to scale new heights can take advantage of the climbing wall, while open swim is once again available in the Max Bell pool.

The superhero theme will be reflected in a number of zones, including a Spiderman Web Maze and Green Arrow Archery and Wonder Woman Golden Lasso games. The ASPIRE Zone will feature the ins and outs of fingerprinting, the chance to construct super zoomer airplanes and a coding challenge whereby participants learn how to code their own superhero character or game on laptops and iPADs.

“Every year our organizers and volunteers come up with some really engaging and fun family activities,” says Mahon. “I really look forward to hosting Play Day every year. As a university, we are always striving to better our community, and through our partnership with 1st Choice Savings, we are able to provide this opportunity for families to spend some quality time together and really strengthen those family bonds.”

Admission and parking for Play Day are free and people are encouraged to bring gym shoes, comfortable clothing and a swimsuit to maximize their opportunity for fun. A Toonie BBQ will also be set up on the north end of the upper track.

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Birthday party is fitting theme for 50th anniversary edition of Play Day

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Partnership with 1st Choice Savings helps bring community together

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