Play Day attracts huge crowds for Family Day fun
By Lethbridge Herald on February 20, 2023.
The bouncy castles were immensely popular with kids at Play Day in the University of Lethbridge on Monday.
Herald photo by Al BeeberAl Beeber – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – abeeber@lethbridgeherald.com
The return of winter wasn’t enough to deter southern Alberta families from enjoying Play Day at the University of Lethbridge on Monday.
The Family Day holiday may have been a blustery one outside but the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness was warm and inviting.
And it had plenty to offer for families with Play Day being staged for the first time in person since 2020. The event was offered virtually in 2021 and cancelled last year because of the on-again, off-again pandemic restrictions, said U of L director of community engagement Kali McKay Monday as families wandered in droves around the facility.
The four-hour event had numerous activities including sports such as basketball and soccer and there was also a space so families could build structures out of cardboard – a highly popular attraction. Also available for use by families were the Ascent Climbing Centre and the Max Bell Aquatic Centre.
Bouncy castles were available for use and numerous tables were set up with activities.
Before noon, just one hour into the day, every activity area was busy.
“The University of Lethbridge has long benefitted from the support of this community and Family Day presents a unique opportunity to invite our community to our campus to explore our programs and facilities free of charge on a day when there maybe isn’t a whole lot else going on,” said McKay.
Play Day started in 2011, said McKay.
The event had more than 150 volunteers, she said.
“We are incredibly grateful for all the volunteers who come together to make this event possible,” McKay said, noting participation from across the campus.
Volunteers included students, staff, faculty, high school students and other members of the community.
“It’s overwhelmingly positive,” McKay said of community interest in the event.
“As someone who spends a lot of time on campus, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to offer this experience to other people and to be able to welcome them to the University of Lethbridge and create a fun, positive day for them.”
Volunteer Steph Elder, interim director of Youth Outreach at the university who works with Destination Exploration said “it’s been a long wait to have this in person…it is so great to see the excitement that’s here today.”
Destination Exploration is a youth outreach program at the university run under the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, offering programs in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
Elder said the energy in the room was amazing as children and their parents explored all the opportunities that were available.
“it’s great to just be able to come out and engage with our community, to put faces to some of the programs we do run. It’s great for our staff to get that experience, engaging with the students, talking and just showing and sharing their love of science and engineering with everyone who comes to visit.”
19-18
Bouncy castles were available for use and numerous tables were set up with activities.
Did they get a federal permit from Trudeau. Heavy traffic around the U of L.
Funny, I did not hear even one person from the bouncy castles calling for the over throw of the elected government. If I missed it, then you have a good point.