Saanich Parks & Recreation
780 Vernon Ave Saanich, BC, Canada

Spring is about to "Spring" - Get Ready, Set and Go! View our Spring Registered Activities starting Feb. 3rd and add your preferred dates and times to your RecOnline wish-list. Then when registration opens Feb. 17, simply move your wish list items to your shopping cart, check-out and your done! Reserve early to avoid disappointment, as popular registered activities fill quickly. The operation of all Saanich Recreation activities strictly adhere to approved Covid safety operating plans so you can enjoy participating in a safe environment. Learn More: saanich.ca/active

Feb 11th is the 10th Annual Moose Hide Campaign Day, a grassroots movement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous men and boys who are standing up against violence towards women and children. All events will be online this year, so to watch the livestream, take workshops, join the #FastToEndViolence go to: https://events.moosehidecampaign.ca/

Just starting out or need a refresher? In Fitness 101 we will cover strength training, how to safely engage your core, and effective stretching. Just bring your own mat to Gordon Head Recreation! Maximum 6 participants. bit.ly/3qRULTK

Thank you gardener Kevin for this amazing moss tree! We can’t wait until all the lovely Spring flowers make their appearance.

We need your help! If visiting Mount Douglas Park, park smart. Only use designated parking stalls. No parking is allowed along road edges, especially up Churchill Dr. The beach side parking lot has lots of space! Make it your primary parking destination if you must drive to the park. You are there to enjoy nature - treat it kindly and take a few extra steps ;) #MtDougPark #SaanichParks #ParkSmart

Limited space still available in this Pilates with Strength class at Saanich Commonwealth Place starting this Friday morning! Challenge yourself with innovative resistance moves in a balanced and fun workout. Register Now! http://bit.ly/2XedRXE

New program alert! Dansko is running Spring Break Camps March 22-26 at Commonwealth for two different age groups. Have fun with various dance styles including Tap, Jazz, Ballet, & Hip Hop. All skill levels welcome! Register Now through the links below! 6-8 yrs: bit.ly/3px53su 8-11 yrs: bit.ly/3clrYTC

Looking for a fitness class that has it all? Saanich Commonwealth Place has got you covered on Friday afternoons with the 20-20-20 class. 20 minutes each of gentle warmup/stretch, light weight lifting, and deep stretching will help improve flexibility and keep your body loose. Starts this Friday so sign up now! bit.ly/3s12Dnv

Please join us at GR Pearkes Recreation Centre for a BC Family Day Skate on Feb 15th. Registration will open tomorrow at 8am. Skate times are 12-1pm, 1-2pm, 215-315pm, 315-415pm. Chance to win great prizes! Capture your family fun at the photo booth. **So more families get an opportunity to skate, please limit your registration to one skate time** For more information and to register click the link below. bit.ly/3tz4n84

Clover has already broken her New Year's resolutions! She resolved to sleep less and exercise more. But we haven't noticed a difference in her habits here at Saanich Commonwealth Place! Let us know if you are doing better with your New Year's resolutions than Clover is.

Stay Calm and "Party Fit" on. This high energy, dance fitness workout is designed to increase fitness levels, strength, balance and core with fun and simple dance moves. All fitness levels welcome. Reserve your spot on Tuesdays at 6pm: bit.ly/scpreservefit

En garde! Learn the fundamental skills of fencing at Saanich Commonwealth Place. For 10-16 year olds. No experience necessary! bit.ly/3oxphBy

Get ‘Total Body Fit’ with Commonwealth Thursdays are for burning calories in this high energy, total body fitness class using cardio, strength, & core to help you lose weight, build muscle & increase your endurance. All levels welcome, reserve your spot for 6pm: bit.ly/scpreservefit

Winter Session Registration Opens! Mark your calendars for Dec 2nd at 6 a.m. Start wish-listing your favourites ahead of time using RecOnline on Nov. 25th, then just move them to your shopping cart Dec. 2nd, and checkout to confirm your spot. Learn More: bit.ly/WinterSession1

Are you interested in registering your preschool-aged child in an entirely outdoor program? The ECO Program has locations at Swan Lake and Beaver Lake with registration options for 3 & 4 year olds. Don’t miss out on the opportunity for your child’s curiosity and imagination to grow in this amazing program. Phone 250-475-7113 for more information.

Saanich Commonwealth Place is now able to offer modified 55+ Small Group Training classes that follow new restrictions! Learn proper techniques for strength training. Click the links below to register now! Mondays 1:15-2:15pm: bit.ly/2JPk218 Fridays 7:30-8:30am: bit.ly/3pSftm4

The power has been restored and Gordon Head Recreation Centre is open again for regular service. Facility hours and info: bit.ly/2WCsovK

The local Arts community in Saanich is strong, vibrant and healthy! Learn how the arts have made a positive contribution to our community during the Covid pandemic. ‘The arts are a sign of resilience you know the community is going to be OK when the arts are flourishing.’ Learn More: bit.ly/saanichart

You asked for it and we delivered...Starting in January at Commonwealth, we have Barre 5x a week! Including new fusions: Barre Cardio, Barre Yoga and Barre Fitness. Barre fuses heart pumping cardio combinations with classic sculpting Barre moves for an energizing workout that lengthens and strengthens your muscles, while toning your whole body. Small class sizes for safe distancing. Mark your calendar: Registration starts December 2nd for Jan-Feb classes. See you at the Barre

If you get bored trotting along in your same old routine, circuit training can fix that! Build muscle, tone and get a cardio work out too! The exercise options are endless! Your own individual circuit at Gordon Head! bit.ly/FBFitnessGH

Wearing masks is now compulsory when visiting any of Saanich's four recreation centres. Masks are to be worn in all common spaces, including hallways, lobbies, washrooms and other transitory areas. This includes on the way to and from activities or program spaces. Participants are strongly encouraged to wear masks during their non-exercise program or activity particularly when moving through the program space. Learn More: bit.ly/Winteractive

Attention little Sports Fans! This Multi Sport program for preschoolers introduces foundational movement skills needed for physical literacy. Leaving competition on the sidelines this program, led by NCCP Certified instructors, uses games, songs and positive reinforcement. We will introduce and explore different sports each week. Register Now! Multi Sport: Me and My Coach 3-5 yrs Wed 11-11:45am Nov. 18-Dec. 16 bit.ly/3eKm1ip

Let stress go! Register now for our Pure Stretch program to stretch and rejuvenate your body, release stress and tension, and relax your mind. Sounds good, right? Offered at 2 times and suitable for all fitness levels. Join us at Commonwealth: bit.ly/3nU56xP

Welcome back Buffleheads! These storm riders could arrive any day, if they haven't already. Spot these sweet little ducks is at one of our Federal Migratory Birds Sanctuaries in the Salish Sea. Check out a message about All Buffleheads Day (Oct 15): https://vimeo.com/466687408 #SaanichParks #Bufflehead #Naturehood

Make sure you get out onto your local shoreline one more time before the winter arrives. The snow and salt that comes with winter can turn large pieces of plast...ic into smaller, more easily ingested plastics, or #microplastics, through the colder months. These tiny plastics enter the ocean with runoff in the spring. Register to lead your own cleanup at ShorelineCleanup.ca. #TeamShoreline

ShakeOut at 10:15am It’s International ShakeOut day! Be sure to practice your Drop, Cover and Hold On moves in earthquake preparedness. More resources here: www.shakeoutbc.ca/

Due to the recent PHO, Masks are mandatory for all indoor spaces. Thank you to all our participants for your continued support.

HIIT it! Improve your fitness quickly with high intensity interval workouts. Set your own level of intensity as you burn calories and increase metabolism. Starts Nov 3 at Commonwealth: bit.ly/3j0uTAK

Art Flex at Cedar Hill Enjoy affordable drop-in space in our beautiful and spacious painting studio at the Arts Centre at Cedar Hill! Three hour time blocks are available evenings, weekends and some afternoons. Reserve your spot here: bit.ly/artflex

Following the announcement of the B.C. Provincial Health Officer on Nov. 19, all high intensity classes, spin classes and activities that are high impact in nature will be immediately cancelled. We will have a list of all affected classes available very soon. Further, we will be reaching out and contacting everyone who has enrolled into these classes as soon as possible with details about credits and/or refunds. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work as fast as we can to comply with the latest health orders that have been issued by the province. Learn More: bit.ly/2IXYZZi

NEW! Yoga Barre at Commonwealth This new fusion class blends stretch, tightening, toning and breath work through a combination of Yoga and Barre. This full body workout will leave you feeling that ‘yoga bliss’. Register today, this will fill fast: bit.ly/375smmx

Get Ready to ShakeOut! International ShakeOut is tomorrow, October 15. Whether you’re at work, home or school, get ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Find more info and resources here: www.shakeoutbc.ca/

Wednesday Wellness: Tips for Fall To ease the change to shorter days, here are tips to maintain wellness so you can enjoy the beauty of the season: Consider taking Vitamin D Boost your immune system Moisturize your skin... Buy in-season food Stay active Maintain a regular sleep schedule Do some ‘spring cleaning’ in autumn See more

New Exhibits at Saanich Municipal Hall On your next visit, take in exhibits by local artists Carly Manzon, Jacqueline Primeau, and the Saanich Archives. Open weekdays, 8:30am- 4:30pm. More info: bit.ly/3746wjE

Variety is the spice of life! We have programs suitable for all ages and abilities. Registration for our second set of Fall classes opens tomorrow! Get ready to join us for fun and fitness. Find more info here bit.ly/registrationfall then register at bit.ly/RecOnLine.

Try these Pumpkin Spice energy bites! 1 cup nut butter cup pumpkin puree 1 tsp vanilla cup maple syrup or honey... 1 cups rolled oats cup chia seeds 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice cup dark chocolate chips Stir first 4 ingredients until well combined. Add remaining ingredients and stir until dough-like. Chill in freezer to set up for 20 mins. Roll into balls and store in fridge. Makes 24. See more

Get Ready! Our second session of Fall programs opens Oct. 14 at 6 a.m.! Register on-line, by telephone or in person at our centres. Review course descriptions, dates, costs and times at bit.ly/RecOnLine. Remember to add your selections to your wishlist before Oct.14 using RecOnline. Learn more: bit.ly/registrationfall

Happy Thanksgiving! Please note that all of our centres are closed for the holiday. It’s the perfect time to visit one of our beautiful parks: bit.ly/3cRAl7L

In This Together - an Arts in Community Project A calming window mural by artists Joanne Thomson and Marcia Semenoff greets visitors inside and out at the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre. It symbolizes both our diversity and interconnectedness, encouraging us all to support one another. Find out more on your next visit this fall!