Recreation

The Birch Hills and District Recreation Board is responsible for management of the following facilities in our community: Skating Rink, Curling Rink, Golf Course, Lions Ball Park and Campground. For more information, contact Rob Boulding (Recreation Director) at 306-749-2251 or by e-mail at birchhillsrec@sasktel.net.

Skating Rink

This artificial ice facility is located on 2nd Street and has a season from late October to mid-March. There is a strong Skating Club which runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays and includes Canskate and STARSkate programs. Minor hockey has teams combined with Kinistino this season. Four different adult recreational hockey teams are regular users. Time is available for Shinny and Public Skating. Out of Town rentals are welcome (contact the Recreation Director at 306-749-2251). Skating Rink phone number is 306-749-2272.

Skating Rink Schedule

2010 - 2011 Ice Rental Rates
- $75.00/hour local youth
- $85.00/hour local adult
- $95.00/hour out of town, or local groups that do not work canteen shifts.
- Day rate is $650.00 for local groups, and $750.00 for out of town.

2010 - 2011 Public Skating Rates
- Family $75.00
- Single Adult $50.00
- Single Youth $25.00
- Skating club and minor hockey family member $25.00.
- Skating club and minor hockey players are free.

Please make cheques payable to: BH Recreation Board @ Rink Canteen, Recreation Office, Town Office.

Public Skating Times
- Monday/Wednesday/Friday 3:30 - 5:30pm
- Saturday 6:30 - 7:45 / Sunday 2:00 - 4:00pm (no sticks or pucks)
* Other times for shinny or public skating can be opened up if there is interest.
* Please check schedules on a regular basis as public skating times are subject to change.

Curling Rink

Located at 126 McCallum Ave (Corner of McCallum Ave and 2nd Street), this four sheet artificial ice facility is open from early November to mid-March. Seniors, Family, Open and Junior Leagues run throughout the season. The Ladies, Seniors, and Open Bonspiels are major events. Funspiels are also regular events for the family and recreational curler. The Curling Rink Phone number is 749 - 2951.

2010-2011 Rates
- Adult (1 night/week) = $200.00
- Senior (2 afternoons per week) = $200.00
- Fee for second night or league = $50.00
- Junior (17 and under) = $100.00
- Half season or subs = $100.00
- Private bookings are $350.00 per day or $150.00 per morning, afternoon or evening.

Golf Course

For more information on the Birch Hills Golf Course please visit their websitehere.

Camping

The Lion's Park Campground is located between the Birch Hills Golf Course and Lions Ball Park. There are six electrified sites built up on gravel pads. The power service can accommodate a few more units if groups are willing to share power access and gravel pads. The electrical service is 20 amps, and available on three poles strategically located between sites.

All six sites come complete with picnic table, pole barbeque and garbage can stand. An ample overflow area is available where tents can set up on the grass. Firewood is located in a covered wooden bin, along with a group fire pit, in the centre of the campground.

Large trash bins are located in the golf course parking lot and beside the sports grounds bathrooms. There is one washroom building with two separate bathrooms. Each bathroom has a toilet and sink with cold running water, paper towel, and toilet paper. Water is from the Town of Birch Hills municipal source and is safe for drinking. A faucet and hose are located on the outside of this building where campers can fill up their RV units. Campers are also welcome to dump sewage into the 1000 gallon septic tank when vacating their site.

Advance bookings can be made by contacting the golf course clubhouse (April – October) at 749-2211. Otherwise, please drive up, choose a site and pay at the clubhouse.
All sites cost $15.00/night.

Lions Park Ball Diamonds

The Birch Hills Sports Grounds are located half a kilometer north west of Birch Hills on the highway #3 access road. The Lions Ball Park features three quality ball diamonds complete with shale infields. The Park includes a picnic area and 6 campsites. Minor Ball teams in Birch Hills compete in the Prince Albert Leagues during May and June. A beginner "Toss Ball" League is organized in May and June for children 5 - 9 years of age. Many Slo-Pitch and Minor Ball tournaments are held at Lions Park. Birch Hills has hosted numerous Softball Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Baseball Association Provincials over the years.

Civic Centre

The Birch Hills Civic Centre is located at 126 McCallum Ave. The Community Hall is part of a building that includes the Town Office, R.M. of Birch Hills (#460) office and Library. The Hall is available for weddings, community events, and family reunions. It is equipped with modern kitchen and washroom facilities. Contact the Town office at 749-2232 for booking information.

Birch Hills & District Historical Society (Museum)

Box 693 Birch Hills, SK S0J 0G0
(306) 749-2262
Email:bhmuseum@yahoo.ca

You will find the museum at the West End of McCallum Ave. We are proud of our facility and services and we invite you to call in often. We are open every Wednesday afternoon all year from 2 to 4 pm, for browsing, visiting and coffee. Feel free to make an appointment by calling 749-2961 or 749-2500.

Our Thrift Shop, located in the basement, is open every Wednesday from 9:00am - 4:00pm. Children's and adult's clothing, and all kinds of household articles are available. No furnature or electrical appliances. (Closed for the months of July & January, for the Volunteer's holidays.)

Events and Activities

Learning Our Heritage Day - Annual event held in June. This award-winning program brings heritage alive for young students, their parents and grandparents. The event is put on in co-operation with the school and involves many demonstrations and hands-on activities. Over 200 students take part and there are dozens of volunteers helping out.

Threshing Day and Family Fun Day - Our biggest yearly event is celebrated the second Sunday of August each year.

Centennial Memorial Wall is located at the front entrance of the Museum with over 275 plaques honoring pioneers and community builders. There are murals and memorial books containing their stories. We invite you to take part by honoring a deserving district resident and reading their stories. Brochures are available describing this project.

Birch Hills Dance Centre

Offering quality competitive and recreational dance classes for students ages 3 to adult. Our dance centre strives to motivate every student by offering dance education in a nurturing and positive environment. No previous dance experience is required to register, all levels of dancers are welcome. For more information e-mail bhrdc@live.com.

Full Season Classes
- Pre-school Combination - Ages 3-5: Classes consists of tap, ballet, jazz and tumbling
- Jazz - Ages 6 and up
- Ballet - Ages 6 and up
- Tap - Ages 6 and up
- Hip Hop - Ages 7 and up
- Boys Only Hip Hop - Class just for the boys, ages 8 and up.
- Lyrical - Ages 12 and up: Min 2 years jazz experience and currently be enrolled in regular season
ballet and jazz classes.
- Modern - Ages 10 and up. Students must have a minimum of 1 year dancing experience.
- Pre-Pointe/Pointe Class - Ages 12 and up. Students must have a minimum of two years ballet
experience and be enrolled in a regular season ballet class.
- Musical Theatre - Classes to start in January 2011

Toddler Play Park

The Birch Hills Health Facility in partnership with the Birch Hills & District Recreation Board worked together to build a toddler friendly play park which is located behind the Health Facility. The local Health Facility has recently expanded its mandate to open up the facility to more community programs. As a result, both organizations share a mandate to offer wellness opportunities for the people of Birch Hills and area. In 2003 and 2004, the Health Facility and Recreation Board partnered to involve the residents of Birchview Nursing Home in the playground program. The grand opening was held in June 2005.

Seniors Hall

The Birch Hills Seniors Hall is located on 370 Bellamy Avenue. The Club runs activities throughout the year including carpet bowling and cribbage. For more information on programs at the Seniors Hall, please contact President Vel Bompais at 749-3364.

The Birch Hills and District Recreation Board receives funding for programs from Saskatchewan Lotteries