Sarnia’s Strangway Center is planning to offer a full slate of programming this fall for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, officials say.
“Every room has something going on,” community services co-ordinator Mike Neely said. “Every instructor that we’ve had prior to the pandemic is pretty well brought back on top of new instructors as well. It’s just looking really good.”
The city community center for adults 20 and older reduced what it offered amid the ever-changing COVID-19 restrictions in recent years.
Those restrictions were effectively ended this spring.
Summer programming was on par with pre-pandemic summer programming at the centre, Neely said, but there’s typically less programming at the center in the summer regardless.
“The fall will be the first time that we have like a full slate … so we foresee a really busy registration date,” Neely said.
Registration for fall programming opened Aug. 31.
Programs include new offerings like magic lessons, core conditioning and beginner woodworking, alongside returning programs like photography, language lessons, leather carving, yoga and guitar, officials said.
Hours at the center are also extending Monday to Wednesday evenings to around 7 or 8 pm, Neely said. Thursday and Friday will continue to run 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, he added.
Outside agencies like the Alzheimer Society and Rapids Family Health Team are back in for weekly free Wednesday Facts and Chat talks while school gym rentals for sports like pickleball and volleyball are also expected to be available on registration day.
“We have submitted our application to the school board, and we’re just waiting to hear back about what dates and times we’ll receive from them,” Neely said.
The Strangway Center has also partnered with organizations like Ecodemy Education to offer workshops on things like micro-plastics and zero waste, he added.
For program details, and Strangway rates and memberships, visit sarnia.ca/recregistration. For assistance, call the Strangway Center at 519-332-0656 or email [email protected].
Details of a planned gymnasium addition at the center – for which the city has promised $3.6 million in grant money – are pending a Germain Park master planning process underway, city officials have said.
There were more than 800 survey responses in a recent public engagement process for the master plan, according to speakupsarnia.ca/germainpark.
A draft is expected back to city council in the coming months.