Recreational Programming Page

Whether you are interested in applying for Canadian firearms license or are simply interested in learning more about gun safety, this course is for you! It is the first step for those looking to get into target shooting, hunting or a career in law enforcement.

Designed with the absolute beginning in mind, this course covers non-restricted firearms in the most efficient manner available. This course is offered over two consecutive days and includes testing. Passing this course is a federal requirement to apply for your non-restricted Possession and Acquisition License (PAL). For more information, or to register, call 250.865.4010, email events@elkford.ca or visit 750 Fording Drive. 

• When: Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19
• Where: Elkford Community Conference Centre-Teck Hall
• Instructor: Shawn Odnokon
• Dates:
  • Friday, July 18: 5:30 to 9 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 19: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Cost:
  • Over 15 years: $129.15 per person + $25 exam fee payable to instructor at time of exam (CASH ONLY FOR THE EXAM FEE)
  • 12 to 15 years old: $123 per person + $25 exam fee payable to instructor at time of exam (CASH ONLY FOR THE EXAM FEE)
• Min: 7 / Max: 12
• Ages: 12 and up
  • Please note that although students can take the course at 12 years of age, they cannot apply for the non-restricted Possession Acquisition License until they are 18 years of age.
• Registration deadline: Friday, July 11
• Supplies: You may bring a laptop if you wish to download the manual. Please bring paper and a pen for note taking. There will be a break on Saturday, so please bring a lunch, snacks and a water bottle!
   

Play drop-in pickleball for free on the dry surface of the curling rink in the Elkford Recreation Centre (816B Michel Road)! For those who need pickleball paddles and balls, they are available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis. No pre-registration is required, but you must sign in each time that you use the court (a sign-in sheet is provided at the entrance of the multi-purpose recreation hall). 

Must be 16+ unless supervised by a responsible adult who is 18 years or older. For more information, call 250.865.4010, email events@elkford.ca  or visit 750 Fording Drive.

• Dates: Until August 25, 2025
• When: Mondays to Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • *** No pickle ball on Saturdays or Sundays and closed on all statutory holidays ***
• Where: Dry curling rink surface (inside the Recreation Centre at 816B Michel Road)
• Cost: FREE!
• Ages: Ages 16+ (players under the age of 16 are welcome, but must play under the supervision of a responsible adult who is 18 years or older)
• Supplies: You may bring your own pickleball paddles/balls, or you may borrow the ones we have. Equipment is first-come, first-served. Bringing your own water bottle is recommended!

Ready to dive into the sweet world of cookie decorating? Whether you’re a total beginner or just looking to brush up your frosting finesse, this class is all about fun, creativity and of course, cookies! 

Instructor Tammy Ogden will guide you step-by-step, showing you how to turn plain cookies into edible works of art. You’ll learn piping, flooding, and decorating techniques, with plenty of tips and tricks along the way. And here’s the best part: even if your cookie doesn’t turn out quite as planned, you can always eat your mistakes! Talk about a win-win!

No pressure, no perfection—just sprinkles, sweet treats and a whole lot of fun. Come as you are, bring your imagination and leave with delicious cookie creations. Because in this class, the only rule is: if all else fails, snack it out! For ages 19+. 

For more information, or to register, call 250.865.4010, email events@elkford.ca or visit 750 Fording Drive.

• Date: Tuesday, April 15, 2025
• Time: 6 to 8:30 p.m.
• Instructor: Tammy Ogden
• Where: Meeting Room #2 at the Community Conference Centre (750 Fording Drive)
• Cost: $52.50 (includes tax)
• Ages: 19+ years
• Min: 7/Max: 15
• Registration deadline: April 8, 2025
• Supplies: All materials and supplies provided

Interested in hunting or conservation? The Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Education (CORE) program will be right up your alley! 

The CORE course includes general knowledge of conservation, ethics, outdoor survival, animal and bird identification and basic, safe firearms handling. Taught by instructor Bruce White, this course is a first step to getting your hunting licence in British Columbia. Successful completion of this course allows students to apply for and obtain their Fish Wildlife Identification (FWID) number, a requirement for obtaining your B.C. hunting licence. 

Must be 10 years of age and older (PLEASE NOTE: a parent/guardian is recommended to accompany participants aged 10/11 for the duration of the whole course, including the exam. The exam is written for a reading level of 12 years+, and a parent/guardian may be needed to help participants understand certain words/questions).

For more information, or to register, call 250.865.4010, email events@elkford.ca or visit 750 Fording Drive.

• Dates:
  • Friday, May 23, 2025, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Saturday: May 24, 2025, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Sunday: May 25, 2025, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Where: Meeting Room in the Elkford Community Conference Centre (750 Fording Drive)
• Instructor: Bruce White
• Ages: 10 years+
• Cost:
  • Under 15 years: $142.00 (no tax)
  • 15 years +: $149.10 (includes tax)
  • Not included in the above costs is a $30 exam fee, payable by the participant to BC Wildlife, after successfully completing exam to obtain their FWID#
• Min.: 4 / Max: 10
• Registration deadline: May 16, 2025
• Supplies: Manual will be provided (and is included in the course fee). Please bring paper and pen. There will be a lunch break- please bring lunch, snacks and water bottle. **Please note: cell phone use will not be allowed during the exam; you will be asked to remove it from the table and store it away during this time.  
   

This class is designed for youth, aged 7 to 12 years, who have always wanted to keep a journal but need some help getting started. The “Wreck It” Journal is an interactive book that encourages you to break boundaries and embrace your creativity! It provides unconventional, silly and fun prompts to inspire you to think and create outside the box. 

With the help of your instructor, Riley Paton, you’ll be guided through the process and learn new ways to express yourself through the art of journaling. Each page within the journal invites you to “wreck it” in the most destructive and creative ways, all while having fun doing so!

Are you thready for this?! The goal of this sewing class is to give you the knowledge and confidence to adeptly mend, alter or sew your own garments. Dust-off your sewing machine and join instructor, Mandy McGregor, to learn the basics of sewing! For ages 14 years+.

In this class, you'll learn:

• Different parts of a sewing machine: how to wind a bobbin and thread the machine.
• Different techniques like seam finishes ( zig-zag, French seam, flat-felled seam), hemming on the machine and by-hand, buttons, zippers, a dart and more!
• How to choose the correct pattern, measuring for the correct size, which fabrics to purchase (learn about different types of fabrics and which is best suited for what purpose, as well as how to prepare the fabric for cutting) and which notions are needed (what is a notion?)
• How to read pattern markings, lay out fabric and transfer pattern markings

For more information, or to register, call 250.865.4010, email events@elkford.ca or visit 750 Fording Drive.

• When: Tuesdays
• Dates: 
  • April 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2025
  • May 6, 2025
• Times: 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
• Where: Meeting Rooms in the Elkford Community Conference Centre (750 Fording Drive)
• Ages: 14 years+
• Registration deadline: March 25, 2025
• Cost: 
  • Age 14: $148 (no tax)
  • Ages 15+: $155.40 (includes tax)
• Min.: 3 / Max: 8
• Supplies: A supply list will be provided at time of registration (supplies can also be purchased through the instructor). You are also required to bring your own sewing machine, along with your manual (if you have it)

Do you struggle with flexibility but want to improve? Have you been wanting to try yoga but find the idea daunting? Come join instructor, Kelli Matthews, for some relaxing chair yoga! This program incorporates beginner yoga poses and focuses on balance, strength and stretching while sitting in a chair (or using it as a support) for balance. For ages 19 years+.

For more information, or to register, call 250.865.4010, email events@elkford.ca or visit 750 Fording Drive.

• When: Saturdays
• Dates: 
  • February 1, 8 and 22, 2025 (**Note that there is no class on February 15**)
  •  March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 
  •  April 5 and 12
• Times: 10 to 11 a.m.
• Where: Meeting Rooms at the Elkford Community Conference Centre (750 Fording Drive)
• Ages: 19 years+
• Cost: $80.85 (includes tax)
• Min.: 4 / Max: 15
• Registration deadline: January 25, 2025
• Supplies: Water bottle, yoga mat and blanket

Sensei Erik Logodi and Sensei Doug Wilde will teach you the basics (and more) about Karate! Karate is a system of unarmed combat using the hands and feet to deliver and block blows and is widely practiced as a sport. The themes of traditional karate training are fighting and self defence, though its mental and moral strength aspects target the overall improvement of the individual. Families welcome! For ages 8 to adult.

*** Note that at the first class, all members are required to pay a fee of $70. This fee is required by the Shintani Wado-Kai Karate Federation as an ANNUAL due and is in addition to the District of Elkford's program registration cost. The fee can be paid by exact cash to the instructor or via e-transfer only and MUST be paid to the instructor at the first class.***

For more information, or to register, call 250.865.4010, email events@elkford.ca or visit 750 Fording Drive.

• Where: Multi-Purpose Recreation Hall (inside the Recreation Centre at 816B Michel Road)
• Instructors: Erik Logodi and Doug Wilde
• Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m.
• Dates for 2025:
  • January 8,11, 17, 19, 24 and 27
  • February 1, 3, 9, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 28
  • March 5, 8, 14, 16, 21, 24 and 29
  • April 1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 22 and 25
• Cost: 
  • Under 15 years of age: $144 per individual (no tax)
  • 15 years of age and older: $151.20 per individual (includes tax)
  • Per family: $453.60 per family (Family is defined as three or more individuals from the same household to a maximum of six and must include at least one adult.)
    *** Note that at the first class, all members are required to pay a fee of $70. This fee is required by the Shintani Wado-Kai Karate Federation as an ANNUAL due and is in addition to the District of Elkford's program registration cost. The fee can be paid by exact cash to the instructor or via e-transfer only and MUST be paid to the instructor at the first class.***
• Min: 6/Max: 40
• Ages: 8 years to adult
• Registration deadline: January 1, 2025
• Supplies: Please bring a water bottle

Download a printable PDF of the Spring 2025 Swimming Lesson Schedule

For more information, or to register, contact the Aquatic Centre at 250.865.4012 or pool@elkford.ca.

One pass, three communities! Do you work in another Elk Valley community? Find yourself travelling within the Elk Valley? Wondering what recreational opportunities are available Valley-wide? By purchasing the annual Elk Valley Recreation Access Pass, you will gain access to facilities and programs in Elkford, Sparwood and Fernie!
Facilities that take part in the Access Pass:

• District of Elkford: Elkford Aquatic Centre, Elkford Recreation Centre (Arena)
• City of Fernie: Fernie Aquatic Centre, Fernie Memorial Arena
• District of Sparwood: Henry Volkman Memorial Recreation Centre

Programs included in the Access Pass:

• Public swimming
• Family swimming
• Lane swimming
• Public skating
• Family skating
• Skate & Shoots
• Drop-in Fitness Centre(s)

Passes are valid for one calendar year from date of purchase. Purchase your individual Access Pass for $403.56 or your Family Access Pass for $849.52 at any of the above facilities.
 

Looking to play a game of shinny? Want to sharpen your hockey skills? Interested in private ice rentals? Elkford’s ice is meticulously maintained and affordable. 

Did you know that the Elkford arena is available to rent on statutory holidays (except for Christmas Day)? It's true! Call 250.865.4010 to book your private ice time.

For a full listing of fees and charges related to the Arena, view the Fees and Charges Bylaw.