Recreation centres throughout the Capital Regional District are offering free admissions and hosting special events, all in celebration and promotion of youth involvement in recreation.
Recreation Oak Bay is offering free drop-in for youth age 10 to 18 on Friday, May 3 from 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. This includes access to the swimming pool, and the fitness room for those over 15 years old. Henderson golf course is offering $3 golf, not including club rentals, starting at 8 a.m.
There will also be a free Glow in the Dark and DJ Skating Party from 8 to 9:15 p.m. for youth 11 to 18 years old. The night will feature plenty of of games, glowsticks and prizes. Skate rentals are $2.
"It's just to incorporate youth in to recreation and recognize them," said Lars Larsen, acting sports co-ordinator for Recreation Oak Bay. "There can sometimes be a gap in recreation programming with youth, and progressively people are starting to realize that's not fair."
On the same day the City of Victoria is offering free admission to the Crystal Pool fitness room and swimming pool after 1 p.m. for youth. There will also be a free Water Wipe-Out Challenge from 7 to 10 p.m., with "epic" water obstacle challenges, prizes, a live DJ and a barbecue.
West Shore Parks and Recreation opens its fitness and swimming facilities after 3 p.m. to youth for free.
On Saturday, May 4 there is a Ball Talk in the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre lobby from 5 to 8 p.m. Ball pit-style balls will have questions written on them about youth and all are encouraged to answer. The answers will then be compiled for what should prove to be an interesting and humourus look at youth culture.
Panorama Recreation on the Peninsula is offering free drop-ins after 3 p.m. on Friday, along with a Freestyle Dance from 7 to 10 p.m. that same night. The Raw Citizen Dance Crew and Bigtime Special Enterprise DJs will be on hand for the event for 11 to 16-year-olds for $7 per ticket.
Panorama is also hosting a free barbecue the following day, May 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Greenglade Community Centre.
Esquimalt Recreation is offering free admission all day on Friday, along with a free outdoor movie at 7:30 p.m. the same day. The movie will be screened at Bullen Field behind the Esquimalt Recreation Centre. A shuttle will be provided to and from The Flipside at Pearkes Recreation Centre in partnership with Saanich Rec.
Free drop-in fitness and swimming will also be offered all day on Friday by Saanich Rec at Gordon Head, Pearkes, Cedar Hill and Commonwealth place recreation centres. There will also be a free Mobile Skate Jam on Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Flipside at Pearkes.
A Limelight Youth Arts Show will also be held on Friday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday from 1 to 9 p.m. at Cedar Hill Arts Centre.