Waylon, 3, and his sister Tegan Anhorn ,8, ring in the new year at the Big Marble Go Centre during its free family New Year's Eve Fest on Sunday.--NEWS PHOTO BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
The Big Marble Go Centre celebrated the new year by welcoming dozens of families to its New Year’s Eve Fest on Sunday afternoon.
Families gathered in the main lobby as all kids were given party noisemakers to ring in 2024 with a countdown leading up to 4 p.m.
There were plenty of actives leading up to the countdown, including Nerf wars, swimming, floor hockey, yard games, public skating and a large inflatable alley featuring several jumping castles and obstacle courses.
The festival also offered Tot Time for preschool-aged children as well as a quiet room.
“I’m overjoyed. And I’m thrilled to see so many people and families coming out to our facility and getting to enjoy it together as a group” says Mark Risdon, recreation program co-ordinator.
Admission for all events was free courtesy of a sponsorship from Big Marble Farms.
“It allows them to engage in recreation and activity for free, and get to try out the pool and, and come and get active with their family and spend time together as a family, too,” said Risdon.
Risdon says in the upcoming months the Big Marble Go Centre is getting ready to open up its swimming lesson programs as well as offering more arts and crafts and board game events for families.
“It’s one of those things that if we can get as many people out and recreating and enjoying themselves and creating and forming fun habits for their families and for their kids to do, it sets off the new year really well,” says Mike Ractliffe, superintendent of recreation.
If you missed out on the New’s Year Eve Fest the Big Marble Go Centre is getting set to host a similar family free event over the Family Day long weekend in February.
During Family Day weekend the Big Marble Go Centre will also be hosting its popular community curling event, the ‘Jam Pail Bonspiel.’
This spring disc golf and putting leagues will be opening for the all ages.
“We’re trying to keep that approach for everything that we do. We’re trying to have, you know, more recreation programs and more things to do in the facility for the whole family,” said Risdon.
