Events and Activities : “Out on a Limb” With the Park & Recreation Department

March is here and soon we will be enjoying ourselves outside with great spring weather.  Until that happens, I guess we will have to do just enjoy ourselves with lots of fun inside.  The VPRD has lots of fun activities for everyone to enjoy over the next month, so make sure you mark your calendars with programs and events that you see listed below.

Last month we had our Daddy/Daughter Date Night and over 200 people had a great time at the Skate & Activity Center.  This is just a reminder to the Dads to stop in to the Recreation Center office to pick up your picture commemorating that fun night.

The Skate & Activity Center will be hosting the annual Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, March 5th from 6:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  This is a great way for all of us to support a local organization that turns around and supports many great projects in our community.  Our community is very fortunate to have many local groups such as the Kiwanis Club that thrive on making our community a better place for all of us.  I’m sure you can find a member to sell you a ticket or you can always pay at the door, but make sure you stop out for breakfast, lunch or both on Saturday, March 5th.

Other events that will be held this month are as follows:      

            Pee Wee Sports          Held on Mondays from 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. at the Recreation Center/This program is for all 3-5 year olds that want to learn the basic motor skills such as throwing, running, kicking batting & catching.  They will not only learn some of these skills but have fun playing games while doing it.  Sorry, we can only take up to 20 kids so get signed up right away.  The deadline to register is March 2nd.  The program begins March 7th.

            Special Populations St. Pats Day Dance      Wednesday, March 9th/Noon – 3:00 p.m.  Join us for an afternoon of fun at the Skate & Activity Center.  If you want to have lunch with us stop in from noon – 1:00 , otherwise show up by 1:00 to enjoy the music, dance and of course have lots of fun.  Make sure you wear your green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a little early.

            Vinton Night at the Rough Riders   Saturday, March 12th – 7:00 p.m.  Stop in to the Vinton Recreation Center now to purchase your tickets for the annual Vinton Night at the Rough Riders.  The Rough Riders will be taking on the Tri City Storm.  The normal $12 tickets are on sale for $9.00 and gives you a great night of entertainment.  Tickets may also be purchased at the Ron Da Voo.  Deadline to get these reduced tickets is Tuesday, March 8th.

            Beach Theme Night  Saturday, March 19th/7:00 – 9:00 p.m.  Surfs Up!  Stop out to the Vinton Skate & Activity Center for a whale of a time.  Make sure you dress up in your best beach attire for this open skate session that will have you riding the waves and enjoying beach tunes.  This is for the whole family, so mark this date on your calendar.

            Special Populations Karaoke           Wednesday, March 23rd   It’s time for some good old Karaoke at the Skate & Activity Center.  The fun is from 1:00 -3:00, so get your songs picked out and warm up your voices.

            Safe Routes to Schools Workshop   Wednesday, March 23rd/6:00 – 9:00 p.m.  This workshop is for anyone that wants to see safe routes and trails to get more kids riding bikes and walking to school.  The meeting is going to be held at the V/S school administration building located at 1502 C Avenue.  If you are planning on attending the meeting go to www.iowasaferoutes.org.  If you have any question, give Duane Randall a call at 472-4164.           

Don’t forget, you can always find out more information at our website at vprdzone.com. or for more information on these programs or any of our programs, stop by the VPRD office located at the Vinton Recreation Center. 

Ongoing Programs:

            Tae Kwon Do/Held at the Vinton Recreation Center on Tuesdays & Thursday evenings.  Stop by the Recreation Center to watch the class or for more information.

Circuit Training/Get a total workout with this circuit program of 17 different machines in under an hour.  This program is held at the middle school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.  Register at the VPRD office.  This will run September through May.

     Don’t forget you can always go to the Recreation Center during open hours to work out on the exercise equipment.  Walking can be done in the gym, treadmill or our elliptical fitness piece.  The Recreation Center is open the following hours:                                       

                                    Monday – Friday        7:00 a.m. –   8:00 p.m.

                                    Saturdays                    10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

                                    Sundays                      1:00   p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

            Listed below are the hours for open skating.  We are taking reservations for groups.  If you are interested in renting the skate center for a birthday party, youth group gathering, or any get together, give us a call at the recreation center and we will set up a date for you.  Stop out and have some fun.

Weekly Schedule for the Skate & Activity Center:

                        Open Skating

                        Friday  7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

                        Saturday 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

                        Sunday  2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

                       (IROAR on 2 Sundays per month)

Walking: Monday thru Friday   8:00 – 9:30 a.m.

Calendar of Upcoming Events: (Print & Save)

           March 2          Tot Lot   Skate Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

           March 5          Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast               

                                   Skate Center/ 6:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

           March 7          Tot Lot   Skate Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

           March  7          Pee Wee Sports Begins                      

                                   Recreation Center/1:30 – 2:15 p.m.

           March 9          Tot Lot   Skate Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

           March  9          Special Populations St. Pats Dance   

                                   Skate Center/Noon – 3:00 p.m.

          March  10        VPRD Board meeting                                                                                      Recreation Center/6:00 – 7:00 a.m.

          March  12        Vinton Night at the Rough Riders    

                                  Cedar Rapids Arena/7:00 p.m.

          March 16        Tot Lot    Skate Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

          March 19        Open Skate Beach Theme Night       

                                  Skate Center/7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

          March 21        Tot Lot Skate Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

          March 23        Tot Lot Skate Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

          March  23        Special Populations Karaoke             

                                    Skate Center/1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

          March 23        Safe Routes to Schools Workshop    

                                 V/S Administration Bldg. /6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Don’t forget, we will take all your bottles and cans that are redeemable for five cents at the parks & recreation department.  If you have cans or bottles and want to get rid of them, bring them to the park shop located just north of the swimming pool, bring them to the recreation center or give us a call and we will come out and get them.   All proceeds go to a fund to help our youth programs.  This program has already made a big impact.

In closing, if you have any questions concerning our programs, activities, or facilities, gives us a call, stop by or send us an e-mail. 

            VPRD Office                          472-4164

            Skate & Activity Center         472-5168

            Director’s E-mail                     vprdrandall@vintoniowa.net

            Assistant Director                   vprdbarker@vintoniowa.net

            Administrative Assistant        vprdoffice@vintoniowa.net

Website:  vprdzone.com