Maple Ridge Leisure Centre to get four new wheelchairs added on Family day

City of Maple Ridge’s parks, recreation and culture department will be marking Family day on a note of inclusion, with the addition of four new wheelchairs to their equipment list.

The department is taking the opportunity of Family day to unveil this new addition, to truly celebrate inclusion, after BC Wheelchair Basketball was able to purchase these from the 2020 Maple Ridge Summer Games Legacy Funding, said Taylor Mantei, the sports and fitness programmer with the department.

“We are excited to announce that the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre will officially introduce four sport wheelchairs to our equipment list starting Family Day! This is just one more step for us to provide truly inclusive programming in all areas of our facility,” said Mantei.

Residents in Maple Ridge who are looking to celebrate an inclusive Family day, will also get to participate in an adaptive sports event organized by the city’s parks, recreation and culture department, for a second year. For Family Day 2019 the department had collaborated with SportAbility BC to provide a para-ice hockey event at Planet Ice – Maple Ridge.

“This is the second time that the City of Maple Ridge Parks, Recreation & Culture has hosted an adaptive sports event for Family Day and this year’s event will be facilitated in partnership with SportAbility BC, BC Wheelchair Basketball, Let’s Play BC and MOVE Maple Ridge, without whom we could not offer this activity for free,” said Mantei.

Let’s Play is an initiative created by BC Wheelchair Basketball Society that gives children with physical disabilities in BC access to a sport wheelchair to develop the skills they need to confidently participate and play in sports with their peers. While MOVE Maple Ridge is the Community Physical Literacy Table created by Canadian Sport for Life. MOVE Maple Ridge looks to educate, raise awareness and provide opportunities for folks in the community, regardless of age and ability, to learn new skills to confidently participate in sports and be active for life, explained Mantei.

“That being said, adaptive sports are a priority all year long and not just on Family Day! A recent example is Power Soccer, a registered program that has been offered a number of times since October 2021. We hope to continue expanding our adaptive programming as well as deepen our relationships with organizations working to provide opportunities for individuals with a disability,” she added.

For Mantei, including adaptive sports at the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre provides those with physical differences to not only recreate but to build relationships and to deepen their community connections.

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“Our Family Day event is important because it allows for able-bodied folks to participate in sports from a different lens—we hope that everyone who attends leaves with a broader understanding of the importance of physical activity that is inclusive for all,” she said.

On Family Day, a variety of adaptive sports will be available, including Wheelchair Basketball, Boccia, Power Soccer and Para-Ice Hockey, adapted for the Gymnasium floor. In addition to the sports listed above, users will have the chance to familiarize themselves with a sport wheelchair and learn the fundamental skill of wheeling.

“We invite all ages and abilities to this year’s Family Day. If you have feedback on our current adaptive offerings or ideas for future programming, we would love to hear from you at prc@mapleridge.ca,” said Mantei.

The event will be held on Feb. 21, Family day, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

To register, people will can visit mapleridge.ca/1484 or call 604-467-7422. People are also encouraged to reach out to Mantei on tmantei@mapleridge.ca, in case they have any questions.

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