No shortage of recreation opportunities in Antigonish

Antigonish town and county recreation departments are encouraging everyone to stay active.

There are so many options which include both structured and non-structured activity in the area. Crosscountry ski or snowshoe at Keppoch Mountain, Beaver Mountain Park or the Antigonish Golf and Country Club, check out some free skates, or simply go for a walk.

Did you know the town and county recreation departments have extensive equipment loan programs? Between the two departments residents can rent snowshoes, cross-county skis, Nordic walking poles, skates, helmets, sledges, a snow coach, and more. Equipment can be borrowed free of charge for up to a week at a time. Contact the county recreation office at 902-863-1141 and town recreation at 902-3184048 for more details.

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Do you have a young family and are looking for something to do on Sundays? Check out the open gym sessions at St. Andrew Junior School from 9 to 11 a.m. until March 26. You'll have access to equipment for you and your family to play basketball and badminton, there is a parachute, hula hoops, and so much more. The multipurpose room is also set up as a quieter space for babies and toddlers with age-appropriate equipment and toys.

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Feel like going for a skate? The town and county sponsor free family skates every Sunday until March 26 at the Antigonish Arena from 4:30 to 5:20 p.m. The Antigonish Arena also has free senior skates Monday to Thursday from 8 to 9 a.m. and free parent tot skates from noon to 1 p.m. Visit the arena's website for a weekly schedule.

There are also open skates for a fee at the Keating Centre from 12 to 12:50 p.m. and 2:30 to 3:20 p.m. Monday to Friday and Sunday 3:30 to 4:20 p.m. The cost is $3 per person or $5 per family.

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You can always take a day or night-time stroll at Columbus Field. The Town of Antigonish is doing its best to keep the track at Columbus Field plowed through the winter and there are lights surrounding the track for a safe walking environment.

Walking outside not your thing? There is an indoor walking track around the auxiliary ice in the Keating Centre that is free for public use. It's open for use daily and closed during track and field practice which takes place until the end of March (the track is closed to the public Mondays and Wednesdays from 3 to 4 p.m. and 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.). Six laps of the indoor track is one km.

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The town and county are currently accepting grant applications from community organizations. The deadline for County Community Partnership Grants is March 31. Applications can be found on the town and county websites: www.townofantigonish.ca and www.antigonishcounty.ca

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The County of Antigonish has launched an online events calendar. Add your events and check out everything happening around the town and county by visiting, www. antigonishcounty.ca/localevents.

Shannon Long is the marketing and communications officer with the Town of Antigonish. Shirlyn Donovan is the strategic initiatives co-ordinator for the Municipality of the County of Antigonish.