A grassroots way of seeing what programs and activities are available in Whitecourt

A long-running event is coming up soon at the Allan & Jean Millar Centre. Community Connections has been happening for decades and has helped countless families register their children for activities. “It’s a way for community groups to have a table of information for residents to come in and have a one-stop-shop. It’s designed for community groups that are either sport-oriented or recreation-oriented. Residents of Whitecourt and area can come and register for any of the activities the groups are presenting,” explained Fay Arcand, FCSS Program Coordinator for the Town of Whitecourt.

The event is kind of like a trade show with one big difference. Rather than offering visitors things to buy, this event provides information. Instead of tables filled with gift ideas for purchase, the tables at Community Connections feature information on activities, programs, and services that community groups in Whitecourt offer. In the past, organizations like Whitecourt Slo-Pitch and Whitecourt Gymnastics have attended, offering parents the chance to learn about and register for upcoming classes.

This year, the Community Lunchbox and NorQuest College are signed up, both offering volunteer opportunities, with NorQuest also offering programming opportunities. “It’s for both adults and youth to see what’s out there in the community for them to do and, if they choose, they can register on the spot,” said Arcand.

“It’s just an excellent opportunity for families to come and register their children in a sport or activity that interests them and at the same time look around and see what else is out there. It’s surprising to me how many families don’t know about the Community Spectrum, or that a sport like taekwondo is out there, or that something like music lessons are available to them.”

From taekwondo to basketball, baseball, or even art, the local possibilities for children and adults are pretty extensive. Still, unless you hear about something or have an introduction to it through friends or family, you might not even know it exists. “It’s a nice variety of what the community offers for registered programming. It’s a great way to see what’s available,” said Arcand. Even students or adults offering tutoring lessons could have a table to advertise what they can provide to those needing an academic boost.

It’s not just for organizations or businesses either. “If you are part of a group that organizes a youth sport or a recreation program, you are more than welcome to come. Tables are only ten dollars to have a spot to present information to the public,” explained Arcand. She said the event is long-standing because it serves an important purpose and helps people and groups involved to spread the word about their programming.

Arcand said that though some groups have moved their registration online, this event can help introduce new families to the community, and current families, to programming they might not know about yet. So, even with online registration, participating in Community Connections still helps link people to local programming, regardless of where the registration actually happens.

Gaining new members or new families into a sport or program, for example, Pony Club or the Whitecourt Air Cadets, Girl Scouts, and Whitecourt Taekwondo, helps those groups grow even bigger. “It also opens the doors to introduce people to something that they might know about already but not enough to actually choose it without getting more information first. This allows the group to share that information, encouraging more people to join,” said Arcand.

Community Connections will take place on Thursday, September 8, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the Allan & Jean Millar Centre. Groups interested in snagging a spot for ten bucks can call 780-778-3637 ext. 0. Power spots are also available for just five dollars more.

“There’s no pressure to register for anything either. Families can come in and look around and take information away with them. You can look around and keep the contact information for the groups you’re interested in and contact them later if your child decides they want to try it out,” said Arcand. “Come and see what’s happening in the community!” Spots are still available as of this writing.