Spring Programs are Right Around the Corner!

If you’re the type of person who likes to get outside to enjoy the nice spring weather and take part in a fun & competitive sport while you’re at it (which, let’s face it, is practically everyone!) then the WHCA can help you with that this coming spring! Registrations are now open for both the 2019 Spring Soccer & Tennis Lessons programming! Both of these programs are held outside at the WHCA and are accessible to a wide variety of age groups.

WHCA Soccer

Soccer at the WHCA kicks off April 23 for ages 3 to 12. Multiple programs available in the afternoons. For more information on what soccer programs are available, pricing, dates, and registration links, visit westhillhurst.com/whca-soccer. You can also contact soccer@westhillhurst.com if you have any questions, inquiries, or are looking to get involved.

Tennis Lessons

Spring Tennis lessons beginning April 29 are open for registration. With availability for ages 4 & up (including adult!), this is the perfect opportunity to get acquainted with the sport. Already on your way to being the next Wimbledon champion? Consider taking the intermediate & advanced lessons for adults. These lessons are taught by tennis pro Alicia Hampshire and you’re sure to leave the court a better player than when you stepped on. Visit westhillhurst.com/tennis for more information & registration.

New Music Programming for Babies & Toddlers

This February the WHCA is proud to introduce brand-new programming for babies & tots: WHCA Music with Nynne Collins of Hummingbird Music Therapy!

Instructor Nynne combines music and song in these sessions, catering to the appropriate ages. These classes help enhance motor development, body consciousness, concentration, and memory. Music classes by Hummingbird Music Therapy can encourage the development of language, movement, attention, and sharing with others, all while having a ton of fun with music, singing, and dance!

You will find that there is nothing more engaging than an hour of interactive singing & dance with your baby and/tot. These classes will not only enrich your child’s learning, but also your relationship you share together.

Movin’ & Groovin’ Baby Music for ages 6 months to 3 years is held Thursday mornings from 9:10 to 10:10 am in Upper Studio A beginning February 21st.

Register Here

Tot Music for ages 3 to 5 years is held Thursday mornings from 11:15 to 12:30pm in Upper Studio A beginning February 21st.

Register Here

Video Games at WHCA?

Have you got an interest in video games and e-sports? Would you like to see related events & programs held at the West Hillhurst Community Association?

Well for those of you who read our blog, we’ll let you in on a little secret: the WHCA is considering doing e-sports and video game related events and programming, pending feedback from the community members and potential partners.

Neat, huh?

We understand the increasing interest in video games and the passion community members have for the industry and want to provide activities at the facility to help foster that passion and interest. This can only be a reality, however, if we receive enough feedback and interest from the Calgary community.

In order to get an idea about community interest and potential involvement, we put together a very, very brief survey and would appreciate your feedback. Just click that link and fill out the survey. It should only take a minute or two depending on your answers.

Got comments and questions that weren’t addressed in the survey? Feel free to leave a comment on this post, down below.

Learn to Play Squash

Here’s your chance to get your foot in the squash-door before we kick off the 2019 WHCA Squash Championship. The WHCA is partnering with Sport Calgary to provide an introduction to squash for All Sport One City. Throughout all of Saturday, January 26th, we will have courts set aside in order to accommodate members of the public to stop by the Health Club and get their feet wet in the world of squash.

Learn the basics or brush up on your skills for this active quick-paced racquet sport

Played in an indoor court, the aim of squash is to make a small rubber ball bounce twice on the floor before the opponent is able to return it. You have to be extremely quick to get to the ball but you also have to have great endurance and recovery to keep getting that ball back time and time again, especially when it can travel as fast as 270kmh!

If you are a beginner, you will learn the rules and the game of squash. If you have some playing experience, but need to improve your skills, this class is for you. This is also a great class for people who have never tried squash before and want to give it a try in s safe and supportive environment.

Let’s start with the basics! It’s not as hard as it may look!

SKILL REQUIREMENTS:
None, really. Just try it out and have fun!

ADAPTABILITY:
Call in advance to discuss needs .

EQUIPMENT / ATTIRE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE:
Workout clothes, workout indoor shoes, water bottle. If you have your own gear, please bring it. Otherwise, equipment will be provided, including goggles.

CHECK IN:
At the entrance
Please arrive 15 min before session start

FAQs

For all other FREE sessions offered at All Sport One City, click HERE

WHO IS OFFERING THIS SESSION? West Hillhurst Community Association

DO I HAVE TO PRE-REGISTER OR CAN I JUST SHOW UP ON EVENT DAY?
The only way to guarantee a spot is to register in advance. Registrations will close one day prior to the event start. Drop-in is possible, although space cannot be guaranteed for drop in. (Best to contact the session provider before the session start)

MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENTS?
Adult, over 18 years of age

TRANSPORTATION/PARKING OPTIONS?
Parking available. There are a few bus options. Check CalgaryTransit.com for details.

WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE?
At least 15 minutes prior to the start of the event.

FOOD & BEVERAGE AVAILABLE?
No, but pubs and restaurants nearby.

REGISTER HERE

20th Annual WHCA Squash Championships

Have you got what it takes to prove you’re this year’s WHCA Squash Champion? Register before February 1st and prove your squash superiority! This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Squash Championship and the 2019 tournament will be bigger and better than ever. The $50 entrance fee gets a place on the tournament roster, a WHCA squash t-shirt, and access to Friday night’s squash showcase; an exhibition match between Calgary Squash elites Ian Power and Jake Hooker. This is three days of squash that you will not want to miss.

The Championship will be help from February 28 to March 2, 2019 at the WHCA Squash and Fitness Club squash courts and is open to squash players of all skill levels with a WHCA & Health Club membership.

Don’t Miss AppleSauce Basketball!

Throughout the year at the WHCA, we offer the Applesauce Basketball Program and it has been massively popular year-round. Both winter sessions filled up almost overnight, but luckily there are still spots available for the ages 5 to 7 program starting February 25. Register for that session here. Only 3 spots remain!

For those looking to find out more about Applesauce Basketball, it is a 6-week program led by a basketball coach to teach youth all the skills and drills for when they hit the b-ball court. Participants receive a reversible jersey and will leave the program with greater confidence in their basketball skills. Sessions run year-round and we will send out updates in advance for sessions so you will have lots of opportunity to register if you happen to miss previous Applesauce Programming.

So snag your spot today and we will see you on the court!

Start Your 2019 Right!

Looking for a fresh start in 2019? Or maybe you finished 2018 in strong spirits and want to carry that momentum with you into the new year? Well, we hear ya!

Nothing encourages well-being and positivity like practicing tai chi! For the new year, we’ve essentially doubled the tai chi offerings available at the WHCA by adding a Wednesday session, beginning January 9th. Our Saturday tai chi is still available and still free for WHCA members, but due to the success and positive feedback we received from this program, we were compelled to start a this second tai chi program for just $4 per session.

Not acquainted with tai chi? No worries! This unique martial art exercises both body and mind through movement and meditation. Our sessions are suitable for both practiced and new participants and can be as challenging as you wish to make it.

So start your 2019 with a healthy body AND mind! Register for our tai chi sessions TODAY: Saturday Tai Chi — Wednesday Tai Chi

WHCA is Serving Up Youth Volleyball

Know someone between the ages of 10 to 14 years who’s looking to learn the basics of volleyball or hone their existing skills this winter? West Hillhurst Community Association is offering a 7-week Youth Volleyball program from January 17 to February 28 that can help with that!

They will join a certified volleyball instructor for one hour from 4:30 to 5:30 pm, Thursdays throughout winter. Not only will they learn the rules and fundamentals of volleyball, but also take part in drills to acquire greater control and expertise when it comes to setting, serving, and spiking! Volleyball is a great way to practice coordination, team-play, and stay active.

Register today here
For more information, contact programs@westhillhurst.com or call 403.283.0464 ext 4. We hope to see you there!

Neighbourhood Baby Connections 2019

Are you a parent or parental support figure for a baby under 2 years old? Awesome! Let us help you make the most of this time in your lives with “Neighbourhood Baby Connections.”

This new WHCA program is geared towards meeting people in your neighbourhood and making those connections. Its a great way to meet other people with babies who are going through similar experiences, while educational guest speakers will come in to provide the educational/movement part of the class.

This is ideal for newborns and young babies, as well as all parental support (dads. moms, grandparents, sister, caregiver, etc) who are just looking for have fun, take in some quality bonding time, and get to know some of your neighbours!

This program is FREE with a WHCA membership, which you can purchase here. If you have a WHCA membership, you can register for the program here.

Class structure: The first 15 min will allow for baby time to get settled in (feed, change diapers etc). The following 45 mins will be the special guest of the day, it will be either educational or activity based. Followed by 15 min discussion of the day for the parents and for babies to explore and play. The last 15 min will be to mingle and to clean up the space. A week prior to the class start date a list of educational guests will be sent out.

Each week will be different and some of the educational guest could be but not limited to, the list of special guests will be confirmed a week before the class starts:

– Active classes (Parent and Baby Yoga, Baby Barre etc.)

– A visit from our local library

– Dental hygiene for babies

– WHCA preschool

– Post Natal Pelvic Floor & Core Physio

– Baby music and or dance

– Baby massage

– Our local pharmacist to answer Q & A’s

We hope to see you at the next session!

Come Skate with Saint Nick!

Don’t miss your chance to spend some ice-time with Santa before he takes off for his worldwide gift-giving tour! On Friday, December 21, we are hosting Mr. Claus from 4:30pm – 6pm on the ice to give WHCA members an opportunity to get some firsthand holiday spirit. This event is FREE with your WHCA membership and will be full of holiday cheer for the whole family. So bring your family down to the WHCA arena for a jolly afternoon of Christmas fun!

Don’t miss out! For more information, check out the events page or call 403.283.0464 extension 4. We would like to also thank Ross Aitken Re/Max Real Estate for proudly supporting Skate with Santa!