Regina rink hosts inclusive skating for all

The City of Regina now offers free, low-sensory Sunday skating with reduced lighting, no music, and capped capacity to support inclusive recreation.

People with disabilities, or who are sensitive to light or sound, have the chance to skate in a low-sensory environment every Sunday at the Murray Balfour Arena.

For the first time, the City of Regina has designated a free drop-in program for individuals and their families to skate in a low-stimulation ice rink with reduced lighting, as well as no music or loud announcements.

The space is also capped at 30 people and works on a first come first serve basis.

“Recreation is such an important part of residents’ lives and we want every resident to be able to participate in recreation,” said Melissa Coderre, manager of sport facilities and special events for the City.

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The idea behind the initiative comes from the City’s Adapted Recreation Plan which aims to improve access to local recreation opportunities for Regina residents with disabilities.

“Whether this is a bridge activity for you, where you are maybe doing your first skates in a low sensory environment and then you continue to go to other skates, or maybe you stay with the low sensory,” Coderre said.

“These are wonderful bridging programs, whether they are low sensory skate, low sensory swimming lessons to help people develop the skills to live a full, happy and healthy life.”

Residents can see the various different adapted programs on the city’s Leisure Guide website.

The adapted programs also benefit kids who live with conditions such as ADHD and autism, Coderre added.

“The people who have benefited the most from our low sensory or adapted skates have been individuals perhaps with autism or ADHD, where a loud very busy skate can make it hard to participate,” she said.

“When you’re trying to learn to skate and help your child learn to skate, especially for kids with autism, this has been a wonderful opportunity.”

The Low-Sensory Public Skate program will be open every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. until March 15.