Free JDF passes for John Stubbs memorial Grade 7s

This year the Grade 7 students at John Stubbs memorial school will have free access to West Shore Parks and Recreation.

Through the Grade 7 Free Access Pilot Program, students receive passes for the duration of the school year and the 2009 summer. The pilot program starts this month.

The students receive facility admission cards that are scanned upon each visit to either the pool, weight room or Juan de Fuca arena.

“I think it’s fantastic and wonderful that the community is recognizing this as an important thing for kids of this age group,” said Chris Smyth, John Stubbs vice-principal and PE teacher.

Similar programs have been previously offered to Grade 5 students on the Mainland, but here Grade 7 was deemed to be a more appropriate age.

“Through surveys and focus groups (we) decided Grade 7 was a better age to offer the program to,” said Janet Barclay, WSPR manager of community recreation and development. “Children in Grade 5 still tend to be coming (to the facilities) with their families.”

This is a sentiment echoed by the students.

“We are more responsible so it’s a good age to get the pass,” said John Stubbs Grade 7 student, Karlissa Lem.

WSPR noticed once children reach Grade 7 there is a significant attendance drop at the facility. The pilot program has a goal to double Grade 7 visits within the year.

“Some kids don’t have the money to go (to WSPR) or they’re too lazy, but maybe the free pass will encourage them to go,” said Grade 7 student Kaitlin Zeilstra.

By offering these services to students, WSPR is hoping the experience will help guide them to leading a healthy lifestyle and hopefully to continue using the facility when their pass expires.

“This program will give the kids an opportunity to learn that there are things out there that they like and just don’t know it yet,” Smyth said.

Bailey Christopherson, 12, likes to go swimming when he can and said with the pass he will definitely be making more trips to the pool. He admits this opportunity will also help him to get better at things he finds harder to do.

“I do skate sometimes, but not well. The pass will get me to go skating more and get better at it,” Christopherson said.

West Shore Parks and Recreation has joined a pilot program through Greater Victoria Active Communities.

One school from West Shore, Victoria, Saanich and Oak Bay was selected to participate in this years’ pilot program. “All rec centres in Greater Victoria are working toward this,” Barclay said. “If it goes well, our hope is to offer free drop-in citywide (for all Grade 7s) next year.”

WSPR is not sure how much revenue they may miss out on due to the fact that the Grade 7 program participants would normally be paying customers.

“We will monitor how the passes are used and look at our annual revenue,” Barclay said. “We are hoping this would offer growth in registered programs and working towards developing more programs for this age group.”

John Stubbs principal Ajmare Sundher said he hopes the program will help community members not in Grade 7 to lead healthier lifestyles too.

“Hopefully children who access the program will take other family members to the facility like parents or other siblings,” he said.

sports@goldstreamgazette.com