On June 1, Sackville starts its month-long bid to qualify as Canada’s most active community in the ParticipACTION Community Better challenge. CHMA caught up with the town’s summer program coordinator, Carson Rafuse, in Bill Johnston park to find out about the ParticipACTION challenge, and what’s on tap for summer events at Sackville Rec.
There’s a lot riding on Carson Rafuse’s job this year: up to $100,000 in prize money, bragging rights as Canada’s (or New Brunswick’s) most active community, and even more important, the well-being of residents who’ve been through 14 months of pandemic restrictions and are eager to get out and see their neighbours. And it all has to happen while still respecting existing COVID-19 protocols.
The goal for Sackville Recreation summer programs this year was, “to get as much happening as we can, while still following COVID protocols, which does unfortunately mean we have some limited space in our programming,” says Rafuse. “But I’ve tried to make sure that we have something for everyone, whether you’re someone who likes to be very physically active, or someone who just wants to get out and socialize.”
Rafuse is still finalizing the brochure featuring summer programs, but many programs are already listed online here. Pre-registration is required for most events, in order to allow limits on numbers to meet COVID-19 regulations.
One of Rafuse’s big projects this year is Sackville’s participation in the ParticipACTION Better Community Challenge. “Throughout the month of June, we get residents of Sackville to track their physical activity minutes on the ParticipACTION app,” says Rafuse. Those minutes, as well as those from organizations hosting events, count towards the town’s goal.
Anyone can create an account and start tracking their activity on the website or on the ParticipACTION app. They just need to put in their postal code to have their activity in June count towards Sackville’s community goal. There’s an app for both Android and Apple mobile devices, and people have the option of tying in fitness tracking devices or apps, like Apple Health, Google Fit, or FitBits. And you don’t need to be in training for a triathlon to make an impact, as one of the factors in Sackville’s score will be the number of people participating.
Organizations can also participate, by tracking their group activities. “Anyone who hosts physical activity initiatives, whether that be a minor sports team, varsity sports, schools or daycares who get outside and be active, be sure that you also create an account for your organization,” says Rafuse.
Three factors figure into Sackville’s score: the number of organizations tracking, the number of people tracking, and how many minutes all have tracked in total, says Rafuse. “So the more we have of each of those categories, the more likely our chances to be in the top 50 finalists.”
Rafuse has planned a series of Saturday events in June to encourage people to get out and about:
Town Walk, Saturday June 5, 1pm, all ages. “We’re going to meet at Town Hall and walk through town for about a three kilometre walk,” says Rafuse. “No rush.” There no pre registration for the town walk, but people should be prepared to wear masks and socially distance.
The Amazing Bubble Race, Saturday June 12, 12-4pm, all ages. “It’s The Amazing Race, however, we’re going to stick to our steady 15 bubbles,” says Rafuse. There IS preregistration for this event, available at sackville.com/programs.
The Great Family Bike Ride, Saturday June 19, 2021, anytime between 9am and 1pm. Participants will meet near the Middle Sackville Baptist Church and bike along the Trans Canada Trail, as far as they’d like to go. “I know that some people go all the way down to the Confederation bridge, some people stop after a kilometre. No matter what, track your minutes, and that’ll be helpful to us,” says Rafuse. Registration is NOT required, but be prepared to socially distance.
First Swim of the Year. Saturday, June 26, 1-4pm. Participants will meet at Lillas Fawcett Park for an open water one-kilometre swim. The first official swim in Silver Lake of the year is planned for the last Saturday in June, “when it’s a little bit warmer, hopefully,” says Rafuse. There is preregistration for this event, available at sackville.com/programs.
