The Kid Zone and pickleball courts were set up in the Meadow Lake arena this summer as part of a pilot project. The project looked at using underused facilities in the summer and providing programming for the facility. (Nikita Ganovicheff/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Nikita Ganovicheff

Pilot Project

Kid Zone program considered a success

Aug 27, 2019 | 5:00 PM

A pilot project bringing a new place to play for children has kept the Meadow Lake arena busy this summer.

According to Robin Mitchell, parks and recreation manager, the Kid Zone saw over 1,000 visits from children since it opened on July 3.

“I think the pilot program went well. I think there is definitely a need for something that can be 12 months a year that can be inside where parents will feel comfortable bringing their kids,” he said.

The Kid Zone is part of a pilot project by the city to increase facility usage over the summer. The city received a $10,000 grant in June to cover the program’s start up costs.

The project included the set up of two pickleball courts in the arena which opened on July 10. Mitchell said the pickleball courts saw four to 10 people take part in the game weekly.

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“I think from all accounts, the people that gave it a shot really enjoyed the game,” he said.

Mitchell said as Meadow Lake continues to grow, more programs like the pilot project are needed. He is looking into whether he can set up a similar program year round.

“We are considering whether or not we can run some of the Kid Zone out of the Civic Centre. It’s going to be interesting getting the bouncers in there but there’s plenty of room if we can get them in there,” Mitchell said.

He is still going through the logistical aspects of setting up the program during the winter months. He said he also has to consider finding staff and whether there will be enough participants in the winter to cover the costs of running the program.

However, Mitchell said there is a good chance the program will be back next summer.

“It saw enough of a success with 1,000-plus kids looking for something indoors especially on really hot days. We’ll definitely look at bringing it back again for late June and throughout the summer next year,” Mitchell said.

The Kid Zone runs until Friday, Aug. 30 and the pickleball courts will stay in the arena until Sept. 19.

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nikita.ganovicheff@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @Nikitaganov