REGINA — A new Regina drop-in program allows those with disabilities or sensitivities to light or sound to learn and participate in skating.
The Low-Sensory Public Skate program is being offered on Sundays at the Murray Balfour Arena.
“We turn down the lights. We don't have music. We don’t have the loud buzzer going off in the middle of the skate to remind everyone to skate the other way,” said Melissa Coderre, City of Regina manager of sport facilities and special events.
Along with changing the environment, Coderre said the program also offers adapted equipment for those in wheelchairs and sensory kits.
The idea for the program came from the city’s Adapted Recreation Plan, first created in 2022.
“Regina has substantially increased our offering of adapted recreation programs to ensure that all residents can access recreation and have a healthy and fulfilling life,” said Coderre.
The plan has also led to the creation of adapted swimming lessons, adapted curling lessons, etc.
Coderre said Regina’s efforts in adaptive programs have led to other municipalities reaching out.
“The City of Regina is truly a national leader in this. We have other cities come to us to see how they can improve their recreation offering [and] their adapted recreation offering.”
The Low-Sensory Public Skate program has held two sessions, with reasonable turnout, said Coderre.
Unlike in normal skating drop-ins, the city is aiming for a limit of 30 skaters on the ice at one time.
The program will run at the Murray Balfour Arena every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. until March 15.
Coderre said the city will be collecting data on the program to see turnout results and discuss whether this is something residents are using.
