A scene from last year's youth soccer tournament. Kelli Dunne photo.
By: Chuck Jensen, director of community services
The golf course opened on April 26 with temporary greens, along with the driving range, and the permanent greens will be available soon. I would encourage everyone to go play a round of golf, or even better pick up a yearly membership.
As many people know, the golf course manager this year is returning pro Burke Lauder. Burke was born and raised in Dawson Creek where he attended and graduated from high school in 1997. Burke started a golf apprenticeship at Lone Wolf golf course in Taylor in 1988, and successfully completed the CPGA playing ability test in the summer of 1999.
He worked for the next five years as an assistant pro at Lone Wolf. He worked then at Lake Point Golf and Country Club as a pro from 2005. He had played Tumbler Ridge several times in the past before moving here last year. He looks forward to renewing friendships with the golfers of Tumbler Ridge. Burke has developed several goals, but is especially interested in having an improved junior program in this his second golf season in Tumbler Ridge.
The aquatic centre is open as of May 7. It has been closed for a bit more than a month for re-grouting, cleaning, and some mechanical work. I welcome everybody back. It will be nice to see Ann and the staff back at work at the facility.
Grizfest continues to build a strong program for their eleventh anniversary event. Tickets will be
available soon at the community centre. Naturally a big part of Grizfest Eleven will be the annual
parade. I encourage business and individuals in Tumbler Ridge to join the parade this year, and
make it the best ever.
Like Canadians with hockey, the British are credited with starting the game of football – or soccer, as
we call it. It is thus only fitting that the British should be the ones to help spread the game to other
lands.
The British soccer camp touts themselves as the number one soccer camp in North America. In fact last year the camp attracted over 110,000 participants throughout North America. And the camp will be in Tumbler Ridge August 13 through 17. Their info states the camp will feature the 1,000 touches curriculum, packed with new drills and practices designed to improve ball control, footskills, fakes, and moves.
Soccer has started in Tumbler Ridge recently, and this would be a great chance for some of those participants to improve their skills. For more information contact the community centre program coordinator, Joy Mckay.
The community centre has been the place to go over the winter for tourist brochures and
tourism information. The staff here at the community centre have been busy answering questions
about snow mobiling opportunities, spring hiking, the dinosaur museum, and even housing. On the
long weekend May 19 to 21st the Visitor Information Center re-opens under the direction of the
District of Tumbler Ridge community development officer Kelly Bryan. As a result, the community centre hours will be changing.
The Monday night (April 30), Wolverine Nordic and Mountain Society’s Flatbed Loops, run or walk began. Last year I went three times and each time it seemed there must have been about 50 to
70 people there. It was good exercise and also a great social time, so very enjoyable. I can certainly recommend it, and with two trail options, it suits just about every person’s fitness level.
Continuing along the same path, spots are filling quickly for the annual Emperor’s Challenge this August. There is a limit of 800 people, of which they reached last year. Spots are filling up quickly, with registration passing 500 people, I am told.
One other quick note, softball is starting soon for all ages. Now is the time to register. For more information on the community centre or Tumbler Ridge Golf Course, drop in to the community centre or give our staff a call at 250-242-4246.
Remember, as the TRAIL brochure states, Tumbler Ridge is the easiest place in the world to get fit and stay healthy.