A new partnership at the Martensville Recreation Centre (MRC) is making it easier for residents of all ages to stay active, thanks to support from Canadian Tire Martensville.
The MRC recently announced that several of its popular drop-in programs will now be offered free of charge, removing financial barriers and opening the door for more people in the community to take part in recreation and fitness opportunities.
“We have many drop-in programs at the Martensville Recreation Centre that offer the community a chance to use the facility,” said MRC General Manager Jason Keating. “Canadian Tire Martensville has stepped in and has graciously sponsored the programs so that some of these programs are now free to use.”
The partnership has been in the works since August 2024, with Keating and Canadian Tire Martensville dealer Lindsay Ullathorne working together to find a meaningful way to support the community.
“We were able to agree that the drop-in program would be best suited to collaborate together on and offer to the community of Martensville,” Keating said. “This is a very generous commitment from Lindsay and Canadian Tire Martensville and we are very grateful to her for stepping up for the community.”
Ullathorne said the partnership reflects a shared goal of making recreation more accessible for everyone.
“For me, I’m proud to support the Martensville Recreation Centre with a large donation that will fund seven free drop-in programs for the community throughout the year,” she said. “Creating accessible opportunities for everyone to enjoy the facility is exactly the kind of partnership that allows us to give back in a meaningful, inclusive way.”
In total, seven programs are now included under the sponsorship, offering something for nearly every age group. These include a Seniors Walking Club, Parent and Tot programming, After School Drop-In, 60+ Hockey, public and parent-and-tot skating opportunities, Adult Shinny, and Little Village Time, a weekly program focused on connection and play for young families.
The initiative officially launched April 1st, and early response has been strong.
“Interest from the community is growing fast as word spreads about the new sponsorship program,” said Keating.
While the majority of the sponsored programs are now free, some drop-in activities, such as climbing wall sessions and stick-and-puck, will continue to require a fee. All programs operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with capacity limits in place.
Keating said the partnership is ultimately about making recreation more accessible while encouraging healthier lifestyles.
“This is a great sponsorship from Canadian Tire Martensville that is allowing the community a much easier way to access health and fitness at the brand new state-of-the-art Martensville Recreation Centre,” he said.
Residents can find a full schedule of sponsored programs on the MRC website, where activities are clearly marked, with the free programming under the title “Sponsored by Canadian Tire Martensville. Weekly updates are also shared on the facility’s Facebook page, or questions can be directed to the MRC by calling (306) 665-4440.
