It will be a fun day out for the whole family!
The TCAG is partnering with the City of Thorold, Thorold Centre 50+, Thorold Age-Friendly Committee, and the Thorold Public Library to organize a free multi-generational family event on Saturday, August 17.
“We're actually building on the movie and swim night that we did last year,” explains the TCAG’s executive director, Megan Gilchrist. “We had a really great turnout so we thought that we would try and expand the day a little bit this year and provide a little bit more community engagement.”
On the day of the event, there will be a pop-up produce market from 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.
“That's our monthly market that we do for low-cost produce,” says Gilchrist. “That's happening out in front of the TCAG. We're also going to be out back running a community barbecue, which is just by donation so people can give as much as they're able to. We'll have hot dogs and hamburgers and veggie burgers. That's a little bit of a fundraiser for us.”
From 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. there will be a free family swim at the Thorold Community Pool, which is located right next to the TCAG.
And then from 6:45 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. there will be a screening of the film ‘If’ at the gym of the TCAG.
“We're going to have popcorn and juice provided and then we welcome folks to bring any other snacks that they'd like to bring with them,” Gilchrist says. “We'll also be accepting canned goods for the pantry.”
The TCAG is currently in full summer camp mode.
“We go for nine weeks and we're just ending week five right now,” says Gilchrist. “We have a few spots that have opened up here and there later in the month, but for the most part we are sold out. The kids have been enjoying a whole variety of activities so far.”
The group is also working with the city on drawing up plans for the Allanburg Community Centre so they can expand their licensed daycare services.
“That is moving at pace,” Gilchrist says. “The opening date is still planned for September 2025 but it is underway.”
After being hand-picked by City Hall, the TCAG is also hoping to make use of the James Whyte Arena while the facility sits empty until 2027.
“There are two things that will come out of that,” says Gilchrist. “One is that it will alleviate some of the space pressures on our building. We actually have wait lists for a lot of our classes right now. And then the second element of that is that we're hoping to also open up some additional new programming that we haven't been able to offer here.”
But first things first, the focus is on August 17 to make it a day the community won’t forget.
“We're excited for it and we're getting all set up,” Gilchrist says. “We're looking for some sponsors in the community, if there's anyone who's willing to donate some of the food for the barbecue or water, that sort of thing — that would be great. And if anyone's interested in volunteering, we have a link.”
The free family event will take place on Saturday, August 17. In case of rain, the event will move to Sunday, August 18.
For more information, click here, or to sign up for volunteering or donations, email the TCAG.
