Hello Neighbours!
The entire team here at McKenzie Lake Community Centre would like to take this moment to wish you a prosperous and Happy New Year. We look forward to another great year filled with fun programs, events, and parties for all ages! If you have an idea for a community event and would like to help organize one for your community, we encourage you to reach out to us. MLCA is here to help bring your ideas to life.
The MLCA is a volunteer based non-profit organization that was established in 1984. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life in the McKenzie Lake community by fostering and promoting a sense of community identity, pride, and involvement. Our vision is to unite the community of McKenzie Lake and to offer new and engaging programs and events for the residents of our community. MLCA is governed by the Board of Directors which consists exclusively of volunteer McKenzie Lake residents elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. The board meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Some of these meetings are “open” meetings therefore we encourage the community to join us to learn more about what the board is doing for the community. We welcome you to contact our office to find out when our open meetings occur.
MLCA currently provides the following programs and services to the residents of McKenzie Lake:
• Maintenance of the community centre, outdoor skating rink and select pathways within the community.
• Organizing community events that bring people together to meet one another and celebrate community successes.
• Recreation programs, activities, and community events.
• Organized sports programs.
• Facilitate community input into planning, development, and environmental issues that affect the community such as building development, zoning, parks development, and roadways.
• Provide updates and resources about safety and crime prevention.
• Maintain communication platforms: website, social media pages, and this printed newsletter. This Gazette is to keep our community informed about all things McKenzie Lake.
Year In Review
We are now back in full swing with our programs and events to support community members of all ages. We have successfully continued to increase events such as the Frenzie, MLCA Beer Garden Parties, Summer Sips and Socials, and Family Christmas and Halloween Dances. These events are increasing in numbers and indoor children’s events are selling out. We have increased our partnerships with several of our long-term renters who have all been able to participate in some of our events to promote their programs and to help us with volunteer shortages.
Our BAS and Preschool programs have steadily increased, and we have been able to continue to add children and staff in the programs. A kindergarten program was recently introduced as well. The community centre rental hours have increased and is now getting to the point of fully booked. Open nights like Saturdays are being booked by community members for events such as birthdays, hockey parties, and social gatherings. We are also happy to report that we have successfully ran our community grassroots soccer programs for the second year since relaunching the program. The board has also completed some building improvements such as painting the exterior and installing special lighting, repairs to the rink surface and boards, skate shack repairs and reopening for community use, and indoor centre bathrooms, kitchen and lobby repairs and improvements. Our focus moving forward is staying on task with regard to the lifecycle plan concerning the community centre structure.
MLCA would like to remind you that we offer Pickleball for all skill levels on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Only $50 for ten plays! Purchase a game card and once all ten games are stamped you get your 11th game free! Visit the office to purchase your card. Make note there is no pickleball on April 26, May 17 and 20, and June 10, 2025.
If you are you looking to socialize your kids with other families in the community? Our Mom and Tots program might be right for you. Visit MLCA Thursday mornings from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm during the school year. Enjoy a coffee, tea, or hot chocolate while the kids take over the gym. The kids love it, and they know this is “jumpy-jumpy” time in our bouncy house. Our drop-in fee is only $5 per family! So come on out and socialize with other parents too!
Have an upcoming special event but no idea where to host it? The MLCA gymnasium can be transformed into a beautiful space for any special event or themed party. You can also rent the gym for athletic use such as floor hockey, soccer, volleyball, or pickleball. Host a memorable party and for an additional $50 add on the bouncy house. Our light strike game can be added as well for an additional $100. You might also want to inquire about our movie screen to host your own “movie party”. The ideas are endless at MLCA! The rental fee includes a warming kitchen and tables with chairs for up to 200 guests! Members only pay $75 per hour and non-members pay $85 per hour.
The temperature has been dropping and we will be hard at work preparing the outdoor rink for your skating pleasure. A skate sharpening service will be added this year for a nominal fee. The rink will be available for party rental as well! The fee is only $50 per hour and includes the use of the skate shack to warm up in and for a place to enjoy food and snacks you want to supply. Contact the office to book your event and to check in when the ice will be ready.
Are you looking to rent space at our hockey rink? Have your child in Preschool or Before-and-After-School Care? Would you like your child to play non-competitive community sports? The McKenzie Lake Community Association membership fee is only $25+GST annually. This will allow you to take part in programs offered by the McKenzie Lake Community Association and receive rental rate discounts. Thank you for supporting your community association!
MLCA enjoys working with local area businesses. If you own a business in our area and would like to partner with your Community Association as an Event Sponsor, Membership Partner, display an ad on our rink boards, or would like to donate items for raffle at our events in order to get your business name “out there”, please contact our Office Manager at [email protected] with your ideas.
See you at the Community Centre!
MLCA Board of Directors
Click here to the McKenzie Lake Community News home page for the latest McKenzie Lake community updates.
Click here to the Mountain Park Community News home page for the latest Mountain Park community updates.
