The Servus Sports Centre was the place to be on Monday as the City hosted Winterfest events in conjunction with Family Day. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source
A last-minute decision by the City of Lloydminster to shift Winterfest indoors was the right one for comfortable Family Day fun.
Activities were centred at the Servus Sports Centre along with the Lloydminster Golf and Curling Centre and the Lloydminster Museum + Archives on a cold Monday.
The call to move indoors came last Friday with a forecast of extreme cold conditions to start this week off.
“Unfortunately, we had to cancel our outdoor activities just to keep everyone safe,” said recreation programmer Sandra Brown with the Servus Sports Centre.
“Winterfest is at three locations and all the indoor activities are happening.”
Brown said people are just so appreciative to participate in person after last year’s virtual Winterfest due to COVID gathering restrictions.
“They just needed an event and it’s a great way to spend Family Day together,” said Brown, noting L&A Chartered Professional Accountants is the presenting sponsor.
“We have bounce houses, interactive games, public skating, you can hop on board a Zamboni and get your picture taken, a lot of musical entertainment, crafts and games up in the OTS room, and a selfie station.”
There was also hot chocolate and coffee available for everyone.
The event doubled as an opportunity for city officials to seek public input into the proposed $50.5 million Lloydminster Place event arena until March 5.
“This is an excellent opportunity we’ve got today and in the next couple of weeks,” said Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers at the city’s Your Voice information display.
“We’re going to be at the hockey games, at different events, wherever people are gathered to talk about the new Lloydminster Place.”
Aalbers said he was just asked how much it will cost, why will the Civic Centennial Centre be torn down, why they are replacing it, and how people will the new arena seat.
“So a lot of good questions from people,” he said about the opportunity.
“We expect quite a few people. If we could get to a couple of hundred today, I’d be really happy.”
Local residents Jeannine and Gerry Burns were among the people who took part in an online survey about Lloydminster Place, with checkbox choices about preferred events and amenities.
“I think it’s wonderful for the community of Lloydminster,” said Jeannine.
“It’s wonderful for the families to have new venues to go to and new and exciting things to do. And it’s great for the sports community as well for the young kids.”
Aalbers added most people are okay with plans to create seating for 2,500 in a primary arena.
“It’s one of those things that comes about from the perspective of trying to find the balance between what we build today what we use in the future with room for expansion,” he said.
He says the findings of the survey will support the detailed design and future programming of the facilities.
Aalbers also said it was really good to see young families and grandparents out with their grandkids enjoying the day inside during Winterfest.
“It’s a little cool outside, but being able to enjoy all the activities inside is really terrific,” he said.
Aalbers had plans for the rest of the day to get around to see Winterfest activities at the curling centre and museum.
