Vernon Aquatic Centre (file photo/Vernon Matters)

By Pete McIntyre

Update

Vernon recreation rates showing big gains

Jan 25, 2024 | 5:00 AM

It appears that Greater Vernon residents are eager to be active.

The City of Vernon says participation rates in its recreation programs in the fourth quarter of 2023 saw big leaps.

City council got an update from Recreation Services at its meeting this week.

“The report highlighted a significant increase in participation rates over the same quarter in 2022, rebounding to pre-pandemic levels,” a city news release stated. “Over the past two years, Vernon Recreation has seen an increase in participation rates.”

Staff say the trend is expected to continue in 2024.

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“It is exciting to see that the uptake in our Recreation Services is returning to more normal levels,” Mayor Victor Cumming said. “User increases coupled with significant sub-regional population growth underscores the importance of our continued investment in recreation facilities and services.”

Some of the other 2023 highlights included:

• Learn to swim continues to be popular with up to 535 participants on wait lists.
• Recreation Services supported 135 participants in the AquaDapt Program.
• A shorter maintenance period in the Vernon Aquatic Centre and the re-opening of the waterslide was well received by customers.
• In December, Recreation Services began the transition to the Vernon Resident Program (VRP), which includes Coldstream and Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) Areas B and C.
• 432 family passes were purchased—an average of 22 additional passes processed daily.
• Youth drop-in programs, offered at no cost, provided a safe and fun place for youth.

Recreation Services launched the new Vernon Resident Program earlier this month, and to date, 1,122 households have registered.

For more information on Recreation Services, visit gvrec.ca.