Have
you visited the Holly Rec Centre?
If you have
young children, you’re likely looking for ways to entertain them, let them blow
off energy, and allow them the opportunity to socialize with other
children. If you’ve got older kids,
you’re probably constantly seeking activities that will keep them busy, active,
and out of “trouble”. If you’re a young
adult, middle aged resident, a senior, or anything in between, you probably seek
ways to keep active and continue to learn and have fun daily. The Holly Rec Centre meets all of these
needs, and so much more! If you haven’t
already visited this fabulous community centre, let me tell you a bit about the
fantastic facility.
Located on Mapleton Avenue, in the Holly area, this modern building is home to pools, arenas, gyms, a fitness centre,
activity rooms, a day care, and so much more.
At the back of the centre is an amazing outdoor playground, which was
built less than two years ago. The park
boasts climbers for preschoolers, bigger climbers and slides for older
children, lots of swings, and of course a wooded trail that kids love to
explore. On the other side of the
parking lot, you can find a basketball court (which is often frozen into an
outdoor rink for skating during winter), and soccer fields where children can register
to play Playball with Coach Shawn.
Step inside the rec centre and choose from
a huge array of activities. The City of
Barrie puts out a recreation guide twice annually with tons of programs you can
register for, but there are also daily drop-in activities available to people
young and old. There is a 25-meter pool, complete with diving boards, a huge
water slide and bucket drops. There is
also a separate toddler pool kept warmer for the little ones. Swimming lessons are offered throughout the
year, but there are also lots of open swim times for drop-in fun, and Aquafit
for those looking for a less intense workout.
Looking to do some skating? There are two large arenas both with stadium
seating for 350 people, and dressing rooms.
Come for public skating, drop in shinny, join a hockey team, or rent the
ice for a special event. Warm up
afterwards with a hot chocolate or freshly popped popcorn from the snack bar
located in the lobby.
Just across the hall from the arenas is a staffed
childcare room, complete with lots of toys, fun activities, and a private
outdoor playground, the perfect spot to bring your children so you can fit in
an aerobics class or go for a swim.
Beside that is the preschool room, where children’s programs are held
throughout the year, as well as weekly drop-in times to bring your kids to play
while you socialize with other caregivers.
Tons of toys and activities keep those little ones busy!
If you’re looking to shoot some hoops or
play a little ball hockey, look no further than the huge air-conditioned gym,
which can be separated into two individual gymnasiums. Sign up for a preschool
program, basketball, or bring your family to open-gym to run around, climb and
play on the ride-on cars! Around the corner, there’s a Youth center that has
tons of activities and often puts on events for the young people throughout the
year.
Upstairs you’ll find meeting rooms that can
be rented for birthday parties or meetings, but they’re also the perfect spot
for weekly drop-in story times put on by the Barrie Public Library, as well as
drop-in and pre-registered dance classes for kids as young as two years old!
One of the best parts of the Holly Rec
Centre is the large fitness centre and aerobics room that overlooks the entire
facility. Take a run on the treadmill,
stop in for a Pilate’s class, or lift some weights. This centre has all the latest machines and classes
to keep you in shape and healthy, with hours from 6am-10pm to meet everyone’s
needs! Memberships can be purchased
annually, or you can pay to drop in or purchase a 10-visit pass, and they’re
also available as part of a family pass, which includes access to the arenas,
pools, and all drop in activities!
If you’re looking for the perfect spot to
hold your next birthday party, a meeting space for an upcoming conference, a
place to bring your family on a rainy day, or a camp to send your children to
during March Break and summer, the Holly Rec Centre is the answer! For more information about the center, check
out http://www.barrie.ca/Living/RecreationFacilities/Community-Centres/Pages/HollyCommunityCentre.aspx
Photos courtesy of barrie.ca and
perkinswill.com
Written by: B. Lavigne
