Happy New Year from Orcas Park and Rec

— from Marcia West, Orcas Parks & Rec —

A huge thank you goes out to all of the volunteers and coaches that made 2014 sports a big success for hundreds of island players.

The new winter schedule is out and can be downloaded from the website: www.oiprd.org or pick up a copy at the park office. Our evening drop-in programs are on hold during the school break and will resume on Jan. 5 in the K8 school gym. We will have pickleball on Mondays, basketball on Tuesday and Saturday, volleyball on Wednesday and Sunday and teen futsal on Thursdays. All drop in sports are from 7:30 – 9:30 and have a gym fee of $2.

This winter we have three special events:

• The Snow Bus returns for two trips to Stevens Pass – Jan. 24th and Feb. 7th. Open to everyone, ride in comfort to the Pass and take on a day of skiing, snow boarding, or cross county. The trip includes ferry fare, charter bus ride, and group rate lift tickets. $80 a trip. Sign up for one or both trips.
• Community Swim at the Orcas Athletic Center will continue for the first Sunday of January, February, and March. Swim and play from 2:30 – 4:30. A donation of $5 / family is requested to offset staffing costs. Thanks to OAC for helping make the swim possible.
• Join us for a trip to the NW Flower and Garden Show on Thursday, Feb. 12th.The day trip includes transportation and show entry. Inspire your spring gardening and take a day to smell the flowers. Trip cost – $40.

Youth winter activities include free drop in soccer in Buck Park thanks to soccer pro, Peter Quies. He will be continuing to offer outdoor soccer though the winter, rain or shine. Youth basketball and Pee Wee gym games will begin the end of February, as soon as gym space becomes available. Indoors, we will have after school art, science, music, and chess clubs. Pokémon and Magic the Gathering play also continues through the winter.

For a full listing please check out the website or stop by and pick up a schedule. We are conserving budget this winter by limiting our mailing and printed material so we can bring you more events and activities. Please call 376-7275 or email marciaw@oiprd.org for more information or with questions. In case of inclement weather activities will be cancelled and posted on our facebook page at Orcas Park and Rec. We will cancel if school has been cancelled.

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season and the best in 2015. Hope you can come out and play on Orcas in the New Year.