Winter Playground

There’s a new signup form for volunteers (14+) who want to help supervise the rink:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScRrw1GpMisR1YgtqF7pmjvBecp_4vyMB09KnnfgZGV_JKY0w/viewform
And for more rink information, please see https://champlainpark.org/the-rink/

And here are a few photos of our winter playground, while I’m procrastinating about reading some new bylaws…

[20250111 Wading Pool in the Winter - just a few snow drifts]
Well, it is a playground, in winter. But not much wading is going on in this pool! You can tell by the footprints 🙂

[Rink in the daytime, 20250111, with people skating around and inside]
A fairly busy rink on a Saturday afternoon. There was a large cluster of skaters doing the laps around the outer rink, but I missed them in this shot.

[Outdoor rink well lit and used on a cold night 20250109]
Also pretty busy at night, with the sound of pucks hitting the boards.

– Alex

The Rink is Open!

Paul B. writes in the Champlain Park Outdoor Rink Facebook group for rink notifications:

Hello friends and neighbors. The Champlain ODR crew has been working very hard over the holidays and after a few false starts we are pleased to announce the ice – rink, oval and pad are open. Be aware the surface is still bumpy and there might be a few cracks or holes still.

[Champlain Park Rink freshly flooded on Febrary 2, 2024]
Photo by Derek F, 2024.

See our rink page for more background info on how to use the rink and volunteer opportunities. Contact the rink people at ChamplainParkRink@gmail.com or use the Facebook group if you have questions.

Winter Carnival – January 25

Winter Carnival 2025 on Saturday, January 25, at Champlain Park and Fieldhouse, noon to 3pm

It’s back…with hot chili, cool music, a bon fire, the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail team, and fun sleigh rides! Everyone is welcome to attend the Carnival, whatever the weather. Among the activities:

  • 12-3: bonfire and food in the fieldhouse
  • 1-3: horse drawn sleigh rides and outdoor games in the park (children must be supervised by adults)
  • 1:30-3 pm: music in the Field house with locally based Jazz, David Constant and friends.

Admission, sleigh rides, hot chocolate and coffee are FREE.

Food and Beverages: There will be a Chili cookoff, baked goodies, juice, hotdogs and more for sale in the Fieldhouse kitchen. Please bring a little cash. Debit/credit machines are NOT available.

The Kichi Sibi Winter Trail team will be out for the fun including a display with snowmobiles and grooming equipment, a raffle, and Merry Dairy unveiling of its new KSWT themed ice cream! More info about the trail can be found at www.wintertrail.ca

Volunteers make it happen! We need help with setup and cleanup, lunch counter, ticket sales, and donations of baked goods. Call out for chefs to bring their best chili dish of course! Please contact Erin and Kelly for more info at erintopping@hotmail.com or 613-799-1770.

Rink will be operating as per normal. As an indoor event, organizers urge everyone to follow public health guidelines.
Continue reading “Winter Carnival – January 25” →

Games Night – January 9

Come and join us for a fun community Game Night! Spend time with friends and neighbours and play games at the Field House on Thursday January 9 from 7-9 pm. See the original post for details.

[20241212 Playing Spirit Island at the Champlain Park field house games night]
Playing Spirit Island at the Champlain Park field house games night, December 2024.
I had asked which game was most complex in the stack of available games, and this one came out on top. So our table tried playing it. I’m still not sure about how the combat system works.

Yoga Class – January 6

Yoga begins this Monday!

If you contacted me, signed Sandy’s sheet at the last class or if you want to join yoga class please bring your yoga mat this Monday January 6 and sign up. (No need to contact me).

You can choose from either the 6 pm or 7:30 pm class. Of course it takes place at the field house. Please come 10 minutes early to sign up.

Once I know the numbers I can set the price.

Thanks
Laurie

[Generic Yoga class, from 2024 post]

Please see the general Yoga Page for more details.

Christmas Tree Recycling

Recycle your Christmas Tree at the Champlain Park Baseball Diamond, anytime in January!!

It’s now time to collect trees in our neighbourhood at the park, as I am reminded by the appearance of the now traditional Kichi Sibi Winter Trail Facebook post:
[Facebook post by the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail people on recycling Chrismas trees - 20241230]

Give your old Christmas tree a ‘second life’ by donating it to the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail. Trees will be used to create wind breaks and safety barriers/cordons at various locations along the Winter Trail at Remic Rapids. Trees can be brought to the North East corner of the Champlain Park baseball diamond or to Remic Rapids anytime in January, 2025. The Winter Trail team will then make sure they get to where they are needed. Some may show up around the rink too!

[Christmas Trees Recycled around the Rink, January 2024]

Thank you from the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail Team, and happy skiing!

Yoga Class starting in January

I know you probably don’t want to think about exercising and stretching in the next few days but it’s time to sign up for the winter session of yoga at the field house. Good news we’ll have space heaters so the floor won’t feel like the North Pole.

Sandy will be offering two classes on Monday nights if there is enough interest. It will be YIN yoga. The 9-week session begins Monday January 6 and runs until March 10 (with no class on February 17 Family day). The classes are at 6 and 7:30pm. Price to be determined once registrants are confirmed.

Please DM on Facebook or e-mail me (lauriefagan59@gmail.com) if you want to register. If you took part in the last session and signed Sandy’s sheet there’s no need to get in touch.

Thanks
Laurie

[Generic Yoga class, from 2024 post]

Please see the general Yoga Page for more details.

Daybreak Gift Cards Wrapped

An update from Laurie Fagan, following up on the original post:

We have reached our goal of 67 gift cards for the residents of Daybreak Housing. We have five houses across the city (4 for men and one for women). Then this year we opened 2 new houses for refugee women (mostly from French Africa).

I huge thank you to all the residents who kindly donated gift cards – it will be most appreciated.

Happy holidays to all and this generosity reaffirms why I love living in Champlain Park.

See photo below (we still have 13 to wrap).

[Stacks of gift cards wrapped in festive paper]