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BGC of Wolf Creek Lacombe launches a new after-school program at Terrace Ridge school

‘We are just really happy and excited to be in Lacombe’
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BGC of Wolf Creek Lacombe held a grand opening on Sept. 22 at Ecole Lacombe Upper Elementary School. Organizers are thrilled to announce another after-school program set to start at Terrace Ridge Elementary School in mid-November. Express file photo

Staff with BGC of Wolf Creek Lacombe are thrilled to announce a new after-school program will soon be up and running in town at Terrace Ridge Elementary School.

The news comes on the heels of the grand opening of an after-school program being launched at Ecole Lacombe Upper Elementary School in September.

The new program at Terrace Ridge begins in mid-November, said Beth Reitz, executive director of the Ponoka Youth Centre, which is the current legal name of an umbrella organization that includes the BGC of Wolf Creek that serves Ponoka, Rimbey and Lacombe.

“We open Nov. 14 - registration also starts this week. So parents of Terrace Ridge students can start registering their children at any point,” said Reitz. “The reasoning (for expanding) was also that transportation to Terrace Ridge was going to cost a substantial amount, and by actually starting one at Terrace Ridge, it also allows the one at the Upper Elementary to further expand and grow as well,” she said.

“We do need to hit a minimum number of kids in the program to make it work, but we have done our due diligence and we already have a number of families who have committed,” she explained.

Formerly known as the Boys and Girls Club, Reitz said the BGC of Wolf Creek Lacombe has seen tremendous support from the start.

“We also know that (the programs) here are going to grow - it takes time for sure,” said Reitz. “But we know that the need is there so we are willing to wait and help make that happen.”

Here in Lacombe, the main programs being offered are the after-school programs where kids can take part in lots of fun activities, indoor and outdoor play, and enjoy some snacks, too.

This program runs Monday through Friday from 3:15 to 5:30 p.m. and is for youth from Kindergarten to Grade 6.

Another program available in Lacombe is the School’s Out Day Program which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the school year and includes life-skills instruction, leadership training, recreation, field trips and other planned activities on Professional Development days, school breaks and ‘in lieu’ days for schools.

Government subsidies are available for BGC programming as well.

Meanwhile, the overall feedback continues to be very encouraging. Reitz said parents will say how their kids don’t want to leave the after-school program when they arrive to pick them up as they are having so much fun.

“I think it’s also from our experience in running it - we have 20 years in running after-school care, so we hire staff and run programs to a very high standard,” she explained. “I also think that our location at the schools makes it really easy for parents, and our staff are also exceptional.

“We are just really happy and excited to be in Lacombe.”

For more information, follow them on Facebook at ‘BGC Wolf Creek – Lacombe’ or check out www.lacombe.bgcwolfcreek.com.

Interested residents can also call 403-704-4126 or email admin@BGCWolfcreek.com.



Mark Weber

About the Author: Mark Weber

I've been a part of the Black Press Media family for about a dozen years now, with stints at the Red Deer Express, the Stettler Independent, and now the Lacombe Express.
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