Nanaimo residents can register for more than 2,500 City-run spring and summer programs this week, with swimming lessons continuing to be in high demand. Registration for all programs starts at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, March 6. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

popular programs

Registration for immensely popular Nanaimo spring and summer programs starts Wednesday

Mar 5, 2024 | 9:50 AM

NANAIMO — Despite some chilly temperatures to start off March, incredibly popular spring and summer recreation programs are top of mind for many in the region.

The City’s parks, recreation and culture department released the spring and summer 2024 activity guide last week, with program registration opening Wednesday, March 6 at 6 a.m., for over 2,500 City programs and activities.

Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog said the demand for these City programs is enormous.

“We’re a fast-growing population, we’re one of the five fastest-growing regions in the country. Our spring and summer activity guide is a very popular item indeed. It went out for viewing online on Friday (March 1)…we’ve got a number of very new and exciting programs.”

Everything from swimming and skating lessons to cooking, yoga, first aid, wellness, arts and crafts, and outdoor education is available, with over 300 new programs added since 2020, according to the City.

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An additional 107 programs for those 60 years or older have been added this year compared to last, and the City is now running eight daytime summer camps for those participants requiring care, up from six in 2023.

Krog said there is 101 pages worth of programs in their activity guide.

“The parks, recreation and culture (department) hires approximately 50 summer students to staff the summer camp experiences, and hopefully, out of those 50 we’ll see some young people who will take appropriate training and end up teaching in our school system or caring for children, or providing the kinds of services that many families are desperate to have.”

Swimming lessons are normally the most popular program, with the City adding more than 30 per cent more lessons for 2024, including programs at Westwood Lake.

Krog said while they’ve been gaining ground by hiring enough lifeguards to staff lesson and pool times, finding enough workers remains a constant concern.

“The fact is that COVID created a major shift in terms of people who were interested in or wanted to stay doing that kind of work. Candidly, the City has vacant positions across the board, it’s not just about parks, recreation and culture as well.”

For more information on how to register for a program or to view the entire Spring Summer 2024 Activity Guide, you can click here to go to the City’s website.

The City recommends setting up an account on their website in advance of registration for a smoother process, as 90 per cent of program registration is done online.

In-person registration is available at Bowen Complex, Beban Park, Oliver Woods Community Centre, the Nanaimo Ice Centre and the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre starting at 6 a.m. on March 6, or by calling 250-756-5200.

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