WSPRS Board of Directors Meeting Minutes, May 8th, 2025 - ADOPTED

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Swim lesson registration took place on April 7th and 8th, with an impressive 329 classes offered. By 10 a.m. on April 8th, 1,276 participants had registered, leaving only a few classes with remaining spots. The registration process ran incredibly smoothly.

The pool officially reopened on April 21st, Easter Monday, with swim lessons beginning the following day. Upon reopening a new “No Phones in the Hot Zones” policy was launched to ensure everyone’s privacy while using the facility.

The Swim Instructor program is being offered again with the reopening of the pool and reached full registration just a few days after its registration opened up. The aquatics team took advantage of a quieter schedule to bring staff together for the spring in-service. Team members focused on refreshing their knowledge of first aid, CPR, and child protection.

Fitness and Weights

During the annual pool maintenance shutdown, the fitness department added Zumba classes along with personal training and group sessions for pool participants who were looking for alternate ways to stay active.

Fitness programs in Metchosin continue to see strong attendance and growth with more classes to be added to the schedule for Spring. New programs to be added include Functional Fitness and Pilates.

The fitness department is excited to announce the addition of several team lead positions to assist with the growing demands within the department and to ensure operational needs are met during evenings and weekends. The team lead positions will assist with weightroom attending, customer service, fitness staff support, instruction and supervision during peak hours.

Personal training and rehabilitation sessions have seen an increase during April with 11 packages purchased since the start of the month. A few individual youth weightroom orientations were scheduled which were coordinated with school district 62 student advocates. Staff continue to work with Brookes School to provide their grade 9 and 10 physical education classes with group weightroom orientations. It is great to see the students continue to use the weightroom after they have completed their orientation.

Arena, Events, and Golf

The Victoria Grizzlies concluded their 2024-25 BCHL regular season in March with a thrilling final weekend, securing 4th place in the Coastal Conference after a pivotal overtime victory against the Coquitlam Express on March 24th. Entering the final series, the team’s seeding had fluctuated wildly, with potential outcomes ranging from 2nd to 7th in the conference. This win solidified their playoff berth, setting up a first-round matchup against the Coquitlam Express, whom they defeated to advance to the second round against the Cowichan Valley Capitals. Meanwhile, the Wolves Junior Hockey Club hosted its annual Prospect Camp from April 5th – 7th, evaluating emerging talent for the 2025-26 season.

March also saw significant activity at the Q Centre and JDF arenas. The Q Centre hosted the BC Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL) playoffs from March 15th–17th, where the University of Victoria (UVic) triumphed over Vancouver Island University in the championship final. This victory bolstered UVic’s aspirations to join U Sports, Canada’s premier collegiate athletics division, with the university expressing interest in leveraging the Q Centre as its home arena pending further discussions about facility upgrades and scheduling.

At the JDF Arena, the inaugural Hockey on the Rock Tournament took place March 22nd – 24th, organized by the South Island Ravens Hockey Association in partnership with the Canucks Autism Network. This marked the first time the event, designed for athletes with developmental disabilities, was held on Vancouver Island, drawing teams province-wide and establishing itself as an annual fixture.

After the JDF Arena ice was removed, JDF welcomed the Victoria Quilters Guild Show from April 5th – 7th, which relocated to the arena due to its superior parking and accessibility. The event attracted over 1,200 attendees and will return biannually, with the next show slated for April 2026.

Community engagement extended beyond the rinks with the debut of SoccerFest, an adult tournament held April 6th–7th on Fields 2, 3, and the velodrome artificial turf. The event, celebrating the end of the soccer season, featured 32 teams and 400+ participants, prompting organizers to commit to an annual recurrence. Meanwhile, the golf course faced significant challenges due to March’s weather, which delivered 161% of average rainfall (11 days of precipitation) alongside 11 overcast days and only 9 days of sunshine at an average temperature of 9°C. These conditions led to a decline in rounds played—1,552 in March 2025 compared to 3,256 in March 2024.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Ultimate Citizens is an award-winning documentary directed by Francine Strickwerda. A screening was held online by Sport for Life on April 4th, as part of their initiative to promote the film's impact and reach a wider audience in sport and recreation. WSPR invited its inclusion committee to participate in this viewing. The documentary follows Jamshid Khajavi, an Iranian American guidance counsellor at Seattle's Hazel Wolf K-8 School, who uses Ultimate Frisbee to connect with and support children of refugees and immigrants. The film highlights his efforts to build a community where these children can thrive, both on and off the playing field.

The BCRPA Plexus is a leadership network within the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA), consisting of senior leaders from various local governments across British Columbia. This network strengthens BCRPA's role as the voice of public recreation and parks, facilitating direct communication with key decision-makers, including BC's Public Health Officer. As part of the BCRPA IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) project, BCRPA hosted regional focus groups, including one specifically for the Plexus. WSPR staff participated in this focus group, contributing to the development of training and resources to help recreation, parks, and fitness professionals implement IDEA principles in their communities.

WSPR staff participated in the Pexsisen Open House Celebration on April 10th. The event provided an opportunity for parents, students, and community members to explore the school's facilities, meet the staff, and learn about the various programs offered. Various booths were set up to provide information on school programs, extracurricular activities, and community partnerships. It was a successful event that fostered community engagement and provided valuable insights into the school's offerings. The event was well-attended with 150+ interactions at the WSPR booth.

The Royal Bay Easter Egg Hunt took place at Meadow Park on April 19th. The event featured two age groups for the egg hunt: children aged 4 and under, and those aged 5 and up. Participants searched for regular eggs and four special golden eggs, which contained extra special prizes. Families enjoyed various activities after the egg hunt, including bouncy obstacles, music, cookie decorating, and snacks. The event aimed to create a fun and engaging experience for the whole community. WSPR staff organized the children's creation station, where children could engage in various creative activities. The station was busy from the beginning to the end of the event with an estimated 1,500 people attending the event. The organizers also provided extra signage recognizing WSPR on the Easter Egg Hunt route.

Grant Brown, Administrator