Boitanio Disc Golf Course Grand Opening Set for October 13th

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

Following months of careful planning, preparation and construction, the City of Williams Lake hopes to throw a hole-in-one next week on Thursday, October 13th at 4:30pm when it hosts the grand opening of the Boitanio Disc Golf Course where representatives from the Cariboo Disc Golf Club and City of Williams Lake Mayor and Council will be on site to officially cut the ribbon.

The Boitanio Disc Golf Course is an 18-hole, championship-level course that will feature both advanced and beginner tee boxes for the entire community to enjoy.

It was designed and built by B.C.-based disc golf professionals INdesign Disc Golf. Several of the company’s courses have played host to the Disc Golf BC Open, one of the premier events and a Canadian and U.S. Disc Golf Championship qualifier.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the collaborative work that went into making this course a reality,” said City of Williams Lake Director of Community Services Stacey Miranda. “Between input from the Cariboo Disc Golf Club and INdesign Disc Golf, I’m confident we now have one of the best courses in the province right here in our backyard.”

Its location next door to the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex will allow members of the public who don’t have their own discs to visit the CMRC front desk where discs will be available to rent for registered users of the Complex.

Following the ribbon cutting and introduction from City staff and officials, disc throwing demonstrations and lessons, along with a few sample holes, will get underway. Maps and disc explanations will also be available. Members of the public are welcome to attend, and will be able to enjoy the course beginning the following day on Friday, October 14th.

“A big thank you to the team at Sugar Cane Archaeology for their assistance and the many contractors in the City that pulled together to ensure success including our Municipal and Community Services teams,” Miranda said. “I am so excited for the community to be able to try out this course.”

The City’s dream of opening its own disc golf course was made possible through the generous contributions of the Western Economic Diversification fund from the Federal Government’s Canada Community Revitalization Fund.

Free Summer Kids Programming Coming to Williams Lake Fridays

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

Northern BC sport organization Engage Sport North (ESN) has partnered with the City of Williams Lake to bring Park Play Days to Williams Lake this summer each Friday from July 15 to August 26.

The free programming is being offered in two sessions at Kiwanis Park from 10 am until noon and from 12:30 until 2:30 pm for children aged four to 12 years old. There will be a short lunch break in between, and children can attend one or both sessions. Parents are welcome to accompany their children or drop them off.

“Park Play Days is an amazing program for kids to burn off energy and enjoy being outside all summer,” said Engage Sport North Sport Discovery Coordinator, Jenna Korolek. “It gets kids active in a playful way that can kick-start a healthy and active lifestyle.”

Korolek said ESN believes in delivering inclusive quality programs in physical literacy, sport participation and high-performance sport across northern BC. Included in its mission is Park Play Days, an introductory sport program for children to learn the basics of physical literacy and sport participation.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be able to partner with Engage Sport North to bring this program to Williams Lake,” said Emma Davidson, City of Williams Lake Child and Youth Recreation Program Coordinator. “The more opportunities we are able to offer to keep youth living an active and healthy lifestyle the better. To top it all off it’s completely free and something we hope the entire community is able to benefit from.”

Davidson noted the Park Play Days perfectly complement several upcoming free programming options being offered by City staff such as Slip ‘n’ Splash Days (slip and slide and lawn games on July 17, Aug. 14 and Sept. 4 from 2 to 3:30 pm) at Kiwanis Park, or the Live 5-2-1-0 Playboxes filled with supplies and equipment families can borrow to enjoy active outdoor play at Kiwanis Park, Kinsmen Park and Beauchamp Park.

Park Play Days sessions are drop-in only with no registration required. Children under four years old are welcome to attend with a caregiver present.

Mud Puddle Trail Run Set to Blaze New Path in Williams Lake (Fox Mountain)

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

The Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex is blazing trail this spring hosting a brand new cross-country run for the entire family in Williams Lake on Saturday, May 28th, 2022.

Located on the Fox Mountain Trail Network with a starting point at the Mason Road parking lot off of Fox Mountain Road, both a five-kilometre family run and an eight-kilometre competitive route will be offered for participants at what is being billed as the first ever Mud Puddle Trail Run.

“We are excited to be running this event and collaborating with our community sponsors Caribou Ski Source for Sports and Sport Chek, as well as our partners: The Williams Lake Cycling Club, the Cariboo Run Crew, Citizens on Patrol and the Williams Lake Wanderers, who will be helping with volunteering during the event,” said Maria McKee, Adult Recreation Program Coordinator. “In addition, Epic Journey Eatery will be on site offering gourmet hot dogs, as well as some concession items – we’re looking forward to seeing everyone there!”

All proceeds from the Mud Puddle Trail Run will go to the Williams Lake Cycling Club to help with the creation and maintaining of sustainable bike trails throughout the Cariboo. Medals and prizes will be awarded at the run.

Those familiar with the mountain biking and hiking trails on the Fox Mountain Trail Network will be familiar with both the family-friendly and competitive routes.

The family-friendly course will run clockwise starting at Foxfire, taking the AK Connector, then looping back around to the starting location at the Mason Road parking lot on Chicken Scratch. The eight-kilometre competitive route will take participants counter-clockwise on Jimmy’s Fox, up to 3 ‘Lil Pigs, then 3 ‘Lil Piggies Went Home and back to the staging area on Foxfire. 

Check in starts at 9:30 am on Mason Road, with the run slated to get underway at 10 am sharp.

Sign up is available at www.williamslake.ca/programregistration, with cash-only registration also available at the Mason Road parking lot the day of the event. The cost for the event is $5 per person or $10 for a family of four.