Outdoor recreation options like the Kinsmen Ski and Snowboard Centre at Little Red River Park have been in high demand this year. (Teena Monteleone/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Out and about

P.A. outdoor recreation amenities see record number of users

Jan 15, 2021 | 5:00 PM

Prince Albert residents are making use of the city’s outdoor trails, toboggan runs and ski hill in record numbers this winter.

Visitors to the the Kinsmen Ski and Snowboard Centre at Little Red River Park have jumped 450 per cent compared to last year, the City of P.A. said in media release.

Meanwhile, 187 new members joined the P.A. Nordic Ski Club in the past month alone, the release continued. The club’s volunteers groom and maintains over 50 kilometers of ski and walking trails at Little Red River Park, this year adding new trails at Kristi Lake, in the north part of the park. All 80 spots in a free introductory cross country ski course filled up in five days.

“In these challenging times, we are limited,” the city’s director of community services, Jody Boulet told paNOW. “We can’t get out to do the regular activities or have some of the events we would usually host. You know, in 2020 alone we were going to have six or seven major events in our city, and without those types of things happening, it’s nice to see that people are turning to some of the other amenities that we have available.”

Community Club outdoor rinks are also busier than usual, the city said in the release. The outdoor rink at the West Hill Community Club is set to open this weekend and the Hazeldell Outdoor Rink is scheduled to open next week, the release continued.

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The outdoor rinks are open 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, and noon to 8 p.m. on weekends. As per regulations, there is a maximum of 30 participants at any given time.

The four community clubs with indoor natural ice surfaces, East Hill, East End, West Hill and Crescent Heights will offer more free indoor skating over the next two weekends.

Saturday, Jan. 16
East Hill – Noon to 2 p.m.
Crescent Heights – 4 to 6 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 17
East Hill – Noon to 2 p.m.
Crescent Heights – 4 to 6 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 23
East End – Noon to 2 p.m.
West Hill – 4 to 6 p.m.

Sunday, January 24
East End – Noon to 2 p.m.
West Hill – 4 to 6 p.m.

Boulet reminded residents provincial COVID-19 guidelines like physical distancing are in effect at all outdoor amenities.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom