West Edmonton community families get active
By Erin Cripps-Woods
EDMONTON — The Britannia-Youngstown community has introduced a Families Get Active Night to encourage residents to eat a meal together and participate in a physical activity afterwards.
Evelyn Blanchette, mother of two and communications/sports co-ordinator for the community, started the Families Get Active night. Kim Turcotte, communication and recreation co-ordinator, then joined Blanchette in helping out with the night. The two of them have been planning potluck suppers with some kind of physical activity afterwards since this summer.
Blanchette saw a need for something that would engage the whole family.
“It’s easy for your kids to get active, but motivating yourself is harder,” said Blanchette.
As people start to arrive for the monthly Thursday meal, other families greet them warmly. Smiles and laughter are exchanged as the food for the community potluck is set out. The children race to get plates first and parents migrate to the coffee.
Simone Atkinson, play-group co-ordinator and webmaster for the community website, has two children and enjoys meeting new people.
“The small town feel is what makes this a great community,” said Atkinson.
Blanchette also plans an indoor walking group two times per week. The walking program is aimed at having people stay active during the cold winter months in the warmth of the community hall.
“The emphasis is on getting people off the couch,” said Blanchette.
Attendance for the events has been around 25 people per night, adding up to five or six families in total. On Jan. 26, the turnout was 15 people from three families.
While everyone ate, Blanchette, Turcotte and Atkinson discussed upcoming holidays and events they want to plan. The children got excited when Ukrainian Easter eggs were suggested.
Blanchette’s children also attend “Apple Schools,” which aim to have all the students eating healthy and exercising regularly.
The “Apple School” grant was introduced through a program run by the University of Alberta. Schools who receive the grant are required to always have fresh fruit ready for students and engage children in some type of exercise throughout the day.
“This is a lower income neighbourhood, so the kids sometimes show up with a bag of chips and say they’ve eaten,” said Blanchette.
Having the healthy eating in schools is why Britannia Youngstown is pursuing an active living approach to events and programs for the community. Pioneering a small-town feel in the midst of west Edmonton is what these women and their families are doing all the time.
This past holiday season, Britannia Youngstown had a winter festival with an amazing number of people showing up. Seniors, couples, families and teens all came out to enjoy the festivities.
“It’s the most amazing thing to see all the new faces,” said Atkinson.
The Families Get Active Night happens on the fourth Thursday of every month in the Britannia Youngstown community hall located on 15927 105 Ave. The Walking Group happens every Monday and Thursday at the community hall as well.