We did it!

Our Community Centre grant application to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program has been submitted!

Over the past 3 months we have received over 60 letters of support and 143 pledges and donations with more coming in every day.

Thank you so much!

Your overwhelming contributions will truly help us drive this project forward and help make our dream of a Community Centre come true.

And you can still support the project. Head on over to www.ourislandplace.com/pledge to make your pledge today.

Come together Bowen Island! Let’s make this project happen.

To learn more about the project, visit the Community Centre Project website. Shauna Jennings, Manager of Recreation and Community Services, BIM, and Jacqueline Massey, Executive Director, BIAC, are co-managing the campaign and are available to meet to present information on all aspects of the initiative. Let us know if you have any questions.

Feel the Benefits of Adult Sports

As the days get longer and we start to see signs of Spring, there is still a chill in the air that can make it difficult to get out and get active. Adult recreation sports may be the answer to find a fitness option that is affordable, accessible and social.

Adult recreation sports have many benefits, both social and physical that include:

Revisiting a forgotten favourite- Many of us explored different sports growing up whether it be playing floor hockey in gym class or a game of badminton in our backyard.

Find a new form of fun- Have you ever tried pickleball or volleyball? Adult drop-in sports welcome players with any skill level.

Improve your skills- Group sports provide the opportunity to practice communication and teamwork skills in a fun environment.

Socialize- Go with a friend or meet someone new!

Switch it up- Mixing up your exercise routine keeps things exciting, improves coordination and works different muscle groups.

BICR offers six different Adult Drop-In sports that are open to anyone over 16 with any skill level including basketball, volleyball, pickleball, floor hockey, badminton and soccer (seasonally.) Drop in for a fitness ticket from the Recreation Office or $6.50 cash!

Eat Well. Live Well.

Health Canada recently released a report which presents updated guidelines and considerations on healthy eating. The guidelines aim to promote healthy eating, develop overall nutritional well-being and support improvements to the Canadian food environment, rather than emphasizing serving sizes and specific foods.

Healthy eating is more than the foods you eat. It is also about where, when, why and how you eat.

• Be mindful of your eating habits
• Take time to eat
• Notice when you are hungry and when you are full
• Cook more often
• Plan what you eat
• Involve others in planning and preparing meals
• Enjoy your food
• Culture and food traditions can be a part of healthy eating
• Eat meals with others

Make it a habit to eat a variety of healthy foods each day.

• Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits, whole grain foods and protein foods.
• Choose protein foods that come from plants more often.
• Choose foods with healthy fats instead of saturated fat
• Limit highly processed foods. If you choose these foods, eat them less often and in small amounts.
• Prepare meals and snacks using ingredients that have little to no added sodium, sugars or saturated fat
• Choose healthier menu options when eating out
• Make water your drink of choice
• Replace sugary drinks with water
• Use food labels
• Be aware that food marketing can influence your choices

Visit https://food-guide.canada.ca/ to check out Canada’s Food Guide.