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UNITY — Residents appreciate it and visitors envy it. Unity has multiple places and spaces for recreation, fitness and overall activity. While residents might take for granted all that is offered in their community, visitors and newcomers certainly point out the availability for recreation and activity options in Unity.

“The indoor winter walking program is a success.” Parks and Recreation Director Lisa Feser, says.

“While we don’t have anyone counting numbers, we may have an option in the future to sign in so we can record usage.”

Whether it’s getting your steps in on the many paved walking paths around town or enjoying the free options of sledding on Mount Wilson, playing some shinny on the Richardson Outdoor arena or waiting until spring and summer to challenge your friends to a pickleball match, many options are offered.

 “Living across the street, I see kids skating and playing shinny until the lights go out, and on nicer days, playing pickleball,” Feser says, indicating the venue is well used.

Cleared walking paths throughout town as well as those leading out to the dog park always have people on them. Once the snow clears, these paths are even busier as bikes, blades and strollers take advantage.

“We are adding some paths in 2023 as soon as the weather permits,” Feser reports.

“These paths are used so much, and it is nice to see. We have a donation coming in from Unity Credit Union and a partnership with the Lions Club of Unity that has me excited about our paths this year.”

Six playgrounds offer play spaces for families and children. They are located town at both elementary schools, Elks Park, the pool park, and Kin Park, which also offers an interactive online option to engage those participating there. Unity Kin Club also set up a sled shed there for families with little ones to borrow a sled for the small hill there.

All three schools offer outdoor basketball courts with UCHS also offering a beach volleyball court, available for the public to use.

The Town of Unity Recreation Department offers all options at the arena during the winter months and the Unity Credit Union Aquatic Centre during the summer months. Unity’s swimming pool offers public swimming, aquasizes and lane swim.

 “We are opening a few more hours at the pool this year and adding to the schedule, stay tuned,” Feser says.

The hockey rink hosts minor and senior teams and several adult recreational hockey teams. There are also youth recreational skating, public skating and shinny times offered. Unity Skating Club also fills ice time with CanSkate and figure skating programs.

Once summer hits, the ball diamonds are buzzing with teams in the minor ball program as well as the Cardinals senior division. There is also a recreation slo-pitch league offered every Friday from May until the end of June.

“Usually we have five or six teams,” Mike Gerlinksy says.

Unity Golf Club welcomes players for recreation, a fitness option or for the love of golf. The course offers a nine-hole grass green course for all levels of abilities. In addition to rounds golfers can book, the club also holds golf tournaments throughout the year.

An indoor swimming pool opened in 2022 and has been well received. Simply Swimming offers year-round aquasize fitness classes as well as learn-to-swim options. It is not available for public swimming as their focus is on swimming and offering another fitness option.

Several gyms and fitness class options are also offered.

 “Club Ryde is an all-inclusive nightclub atmosphere fun workout,” Club Ryde owner Cindy O’Donnell says.

“We will make you sweat while jamming out to your favourite tunes, in a dark room with disco lighting. We currently have 11 spin motivators to lead the numerous types of group classes who are all qualified with the best rhythm cycle spin training in the country.”

There are options to work on cardio, strength training and stretching offered at spin class.

“We love to support community members in troubled times and did two rydes in the park plus an in-studio ryde to raise funds for these people.”

Fitness Lair is now in their 10th year of providing movement, strength and fitness options for Unity.  Members can sign up for the 24/7/365 open gym options in the upper level of their location or enrol in any of the classes offered in the lower level. Whether you are a CrossFit enthusiast, want to work on strength training or choose to work with a one-on-one fitness or nutrition coach, Fitness Lair offers plenty of options.  A yoga studio is also part of the fitness centre.

Fitness Lair also has supported community members through some fun and fitness activity, fundraising for a variety of causes near and dear to their members.

Fitness on Main is another wellness location offering “What the Float” float therapy location. It is a self-guided gym option that offers a resistance circuit, treadmills, rowing, marching, recumbent bike and ellipticals with 24-hour access.

Fun indoor activity, recreation or fitness options include indoor mini golf at Bluez or indoor virtual golf at Jack’s.

Paw Park, off leash dog park located in the northwest corner of Unity, offers cleared paths to get to the location, as well as a designated parking area. There is a large, spacious area where pet owners can run their dogs in addition to having other pooches to play with. The gate is open 24/7/365 and while there is no way to gauge how many users enjoy this space each year, the volunteer committee says the popularity has grown.

The Karate Club, currently has 25 members made up of kids and adults. The program runs from September through to April and new members are welcome to join anytime.

Unity’s Motocross Club work hard each year to maintain and keep their track in tip-top shape for motocross enthusiasts. They also hold one to two events in the Mid West Amateur series each year.

Community green space and recreation options are touted as promoting both a healthy community as well as providing mental health benefits through activity, and becomes an attractive feature for people considering relocation to the community.