Family Day fun for everyone
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How do you measure a full house at the Tillsonburg Community Centre? Monday's Family Day probably came close.
Organizers had hoped for 1,000-1,500 participants two years ago and they topped 1,500. Last year 1,800 people enjoyed Family Day at the TCC and they expected the same in 2016... if not more. They will find out this week when the wrist bands are counted.
They do know hundreds swam at the Kinsmen Pool, hundreds skated at Kinsmen Memorial Arena – all day – and the Carnival in the Lions Auditorium was packed. Literally packed. The toddler zone had steady traffic, the mammal and reptile shows (four in total) filled up the Tillsonburg Senior Centre auditorium. More tried curling, broomball and ringette at the Colin Campbell Community Arena. An estimated 300 people sat down for the breakfast, and there were solid numbers for the pizza lunch and spaghetti dinner.
"Last year was the coldest day on record, so this year was much better," said Brent Shepherd, member of the organizing committee. "We made a couple changes to the schedule this year to help with the flow of the day. There was a lot of variety all day – I think that helped. The carnival was busy, every swim time was full... the toddler lounge was busy all day, skating was busy all day. There were lots of people trying new sports."
Shepherd saw parents who had not been skating "for a very long time" take advantage of the opportunity to borrow skates provided by Goodwill.
"They got out on the ice and were laughing and having a good time."
Shepherd said there was a lot of planning, a lot of support from corporate sponsors and individuals, and a lot of volunteers.
"I'd like to give a shout out to the volunteers. We had a good response from volunteers this year. And we can always use more."
While some venues filled, the carnival came closest to being over capacity. Lines formed from one wall to the other for free popcorn, free cotton candy, and the two bounce inflatables.
"The only way to make that run smoother is to have more bouncy castle opportunities in a bigger location. You'd have to have a larger venue... and you'd need more money," he added with a laugh.
That's not a knock on the community centre, however, or the town. Shepherd said the community can be very proud of the TCC and its Family Day.
"The fact that we are able to this is a testimony of the heritage of people that have invested time and energy and passion into this community," he said, giving props to the vision the town showed in creating a multi-pad centre facility with auditoriums, pool and more.
"We get to continue that legacy by putting something like this together and using it for what they wanted it to be used for. This fits it. By doing things like this – Family Day – we honour the investment of all of those people."
FEEDBACK WANTED
Every year Family Day organizers get feedback through their website, www.tillsonburgfamilyday.ca (the feedback tab is on the far right), and Shepherd is looking forward to reading comments about the 2016 event. You can tell the committee about your favourite part of the day, and if you wanted to make one change, what would it be? You can also give them an overall rating of the day.
"We like feedback, that's part of how the event started. It grew because people said they wanted more of these opportunities. We listened and responded. We want the feedback."
Overall, the committee was happy with the end result Monday.
"We filled the complex, relatively comfortably, all day," said Shepherd. "And we did it for families free, or affordable (for the food).
"It's a really great option for families," Shepherd summed up. "We know it's not the only option, but it is a really great option locally where they can enjoy something with their families and not have to worry about costs or travel."