Esquimalt is changing the way it brings in the new year with residents.
Council approved in principle a plan this week to host free swimming and skating sessions on Jan. 1, 2014 and do an informal meet and greet with council members.
"We wanted to engage the whole community in a better way," said Mayor Barb Desjardins. "We have significant support for youth and families and felt the recreation component will allow families to attend (the levee) and meet council in a more friendly way than the traditional format."
The format will return to the traditional meet and greet for 2015, following the 2014 civic election, but revert back to a recreation-based celebration in 2016.