At this time of year you’re hard pressed to find a public sport in this region that isn’t played on ice or snow. It is a pleasure then to highlight one of the best youth facilities in town.
The Nelson and District Youth Centre is a fun, safe and accepting environment for all youth to hang out and meet new friends. It offers a variety of programs, services and activities including the indoor skate/bike ramp, basketball, arts and crafts, dance studio and a drop-in lounge for playing games, watching TV or just hanging out. It was a place that I felt good about letting my own boys hang out many moons ago and remains to be the same today.
An upcoming program being offered is beginner skateboard lessons with Ben Demoskoff every Thursday between 4 and 6 p.m. The drop-in fee is $10.
Demoskoff is a long time local with over 10 years of local and international sponsorship experience and was an instructor of private skate lessons in Vancouver and Taiwan. Email ndyc activities@netidea.com or call 250-352-5656 for more information.
Now, back to the ice and snow sports. The Nelson Figure Skating Club is hosting the 2011West Kootenay Development Camp. It’s a great opportunity for young figure skaters to improve their technique through a variety of on and off ice sessions. $35 fee includes a buffet lunch and afternoon snack. Call 250-354-4014 to register. It’s Saturday, November 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the NDCC arena and concourse.
Both local ski clubs are hosting ski and snowboard swaps on the weekend of November 6.
The Nelson Nordic Ski Club swap is being held at the Rod and Gun Club with its pre-season membership drive November 3 to 5 at the Nelson Trading Company. For more information see nelsonnordicski.ca
The Whitewater Ski Club is hosting its alpine ski and board swap same day Sunday, November 6, at Hume School. Drop off is from 9 to 11 a.m. and sales start at 12:30 p.m. and go until 3 p.m.
New to the Nelson Curling Centre this season are two new programs. The new program for beginners is open to all interested parties 16 years and over. Learn to Curl Mondays starts November 7 and runs to December 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. The registration fee is $50 plus tax.
The new youth league for curlers between the ages of 12 and 21 years are welcome to join starting this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The registration fee is $25 for members and $60 for non-members (plus tax).
The club’s November event is the Kootenay Challenge one day bonspiel. This is for new and experienced men, ladies, junior and senior curlers. Teams should include two experienced curlers and two newcomers. It goes Sunday, November 6, $120 per team and includes four four-end games. Registration is limited to 12 teams, so get in fast.
For more information on any of the programs or to register, call Mo 250-551-4135 or go to nelsoncurling.com
Last but not least, Nelson Minor Hockey is hosting the Midget Rep hockey tournament this weekend at the NDCC and Civic. This age group is 16 to 18 year olds players. Checknelsonmha.ca for the schedule to cheer the locals on.
Kim Palfenier is part of the Nelson Regional Sports Council. Her column is featured once every two weeks