[ RECREATION ]
IS THE SPICE OF LIFE
WRITTEN BY DARIO PASSARELLI
As one of the most diverse cities in York Region , Vaughan is not only a great place to live and work – it also has a wide range of amenities , recreational services , greenspaces and entertainment venues . From hiking one of the trails or playing in one of the City ’ s many parks , to a fun-filled family day at Canada ’ s Wonderland or watching Toronto FC II play , Vaughan is an exciting place to be .
M oneySense magazine recently ranked Vaughan as one of the top 25 Best Places to Live in Canada and provincially it ranked eighth overall as having the best quality of life . The City ’ s Recreation Services play an important role in providing quality leisure and active-living programs , services and events in an accessible and enjoyable way . The City recognizes the importance of providing a variety of services that enhance and complement the lifestyle of its residents who value staying active and healthy .
The challenge is not finding a program that piques your interest , it is deciding which one to choose . There is something for everyone – swimming , fitness , health and wellness , creative and performing arts , language and culinary arts , science and technology , and sports and day camps . For those who can ’ t commit to a regular time , the City ’ s 10 community centres also offer drop-in fitness and aquafitness classes , plus recreational swimming , sports , skating , and shinny hockey times .
The fall and winter issue of the award-winning Recreation Vaughan Guide has been delivered to all homes in the city and is your resource for finding the right program for you and your family . You can also go online to search and sign up for the activity of your choice . There is always something new being offered . This fall , for instance , a variety of cooking courses and workshops are being provided at community centres so residents of all ages can learn to eat smart – or simply put some more thought into the food they eat . Check it out at vaughan . ca / recreation .
Whether it ’ s indoor or outdoor fun you crave , Vaughan has you covered with pools , skateboard parks and for those hot summer days , 17 splash pads to take the kids and cool off . There is also the Thornhill Outdoor Pool that is fully accessible and offers a 30-metre , five-lane main pool and a separate shallow water children ' s wading pool . There are dozens of parks , conservation areas and wilderness trails , including those around the McMichael Canadian Art Collection . Visitors can enjoy the art of the Group of Seven , artists known the world over and whose works are right here in the City of Vaughan .
LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO HOST A PARTY , MEETING , SPORTING EVENT OR SPECIAL FUNCTION ?
There are a wide variety of City-owned facilities in your local community available to rent for all occasions . From gymnasiums to pools , meeting rooms to heritage homes , and arenas to a theatre – there are options to suit all needs .
Hike or take a leisurely stroll through the grounds of this hidden Kleinburg gem which offers art programs for all ages .
If the theatre is your thing , then you need to pay a visit to the City Playhouse Theatre . It offers family entertainment featuring professional and community shows as well as educational programming and performing arts training classes . vaughan . ca / playhouse .
Vaughan Celebrates
The Vaughan Celebrates program is an annual series of events that has been in place for nearly 30 years . Comprised of WinterFest , Concerts in the Park and Canada Day , these free events bring the community together for fun-filled , exciting activities and provide entertainment for the whole family . Every year , these awardwinning events draw thousands of residents and visitors to the city . Vaughan Celebrates Canada Day has been recognized as one of the 2016 Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario . For more information on events , visit vaughan . ca / events .
Over and above the recreational programs and events offered , Vaughan hosts and supports a number of local sports organizations and associations . One of the largest in the city is the Vaughan Soccer Club ( vaughansoccer . com ). With a membership of more than 4,000 , it offers different levels of skill , giving everyone the chance to play for fun or to play competitively . Similar programs exist for other team sports such as the City of Vaughan Baseball Association ( vaughanvikings . com ) and the City of Vaughan Hockey Association ( vaughanhockey . com ).
All of these team sports provide a great way to learn about teamwork , leadership and having fun – and not just for the kids but for the parents too ! These athletic clubs form the foundation for skills building and give residents somewhere to belong and perhaps chase their dreams . Whether it ’ s making the National Hockey League like Andrew Cogliano , Domenic Moore or Frank Corrado , or playing professional tennis or basketball like Milos Raonic or Andrew Wiggins , there is no doubt that many of the first steps toward these goals will begin with the lessons imparted from these grassroots clubs .
102 Celebrate Vaughan / 2016