Winter/Spring Program Registration Opens Soon
The opening day of registration for the Town of Manchester’s Department of Leisure, Family and Recreation’s programs and special events is quickly approaching. From community events to youth athletics, educational opportunities to drop-in children’s activities, all are welcome to join in the department’s slate of winter/spring programs and special events.
Registration will open on December 7 (Manchester residents) and December 9 (non-residents). Registration can be completed:
- Online: Log on to townofmanchester.org to register online.
- Over-the-Phone: Contact us at (860)647-3084 to register over the phone. Have your payment information. If paying over the phone, a Visa or MasterCard must be used.
- In-Person: Visit the Manchester Community Y Recreation Office, the Lodge Main Office or the Customer Service Center to register in person.
For the complete listing of programs and special events, please visit the Winter Spring Program & Event Guide.
The department’s Recreation Division, a staple within the local community, looks to continue its tradition of exciting, progressive recreation offerings. Its robust slate of recreation programs, which includes youth sports favorites to first-time offerings, aims to please those of all athletic ability, skill sets and interests.
For those in the market for aquatic programs, there is a whole slate of swim lessons available, ranging from infant swimmers to tweens. In addition to youth swim lessons, there are a variety of aquatic classes available to adults, including Total Aqua & Aqua Circuit, Swim for Fitness, Adult Lap Swim & Adult Swim Lessons.
While you are already in the pool, why not take a Swim with Santa? Join the Recreation Division on December 10 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM for their annual Swimming with Santa at the Manchester High School IOH Pool. All are welcome to attend; participants must have a valid pool pass. There is no fee, and attendees are requested to bring a non-perishable food donation to support the MACC food pantry.
At Northwest Park, the Recreation Division will be hosting the annual Holiday in the Park on December 17 from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Come take a drive through the park where you’ll find familiar characters, treats and a surprise gift! Gifts are limited and will be first come, first served.
Over on the Westside of town, the Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center will play host to a variety of youth-oriented programs. Nightly drop-in basketball & weekly indoor tennis lessons will be held at the center, and special athletic events including Champion of the Court: 1-v-1 Basketball Tournament (March 12, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM), a Dodgeball Tournament (March 22-23) and a Kickball Tournament (April 15) will fill the days of Manchester’s up and coming athletic superstars.
Have any Friday night plans? If so, cancel them – and join us at our series of Friday Night Specials at the Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center! For the romantic-at-hearts, join the Leisure Labs staff for Valentine’s Themed Cupcakes (February 10) or Love Song Karaoke (February 24). For any pop culture trivia stars, swing by TV Trivia (April 28) to show off your skills.
For further details on Recreation programming, please contact the Town of Manchester Recreation facilities at:
- Center Springs Main Office (860-647-3084)
- Community Y Recreation Center (860-647-3164)
- Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center (860-647-3166)
Over at the Town of Manchester’s Youth Service Bureau, there is a variety of upcoming programming available for children, teens and their families, including but not limited to:
Looking In Theatre Presents: Social Justice Theater – Established in 1978, Looking in Theater is a performance ensemble composed of teenagers from the Greater Hartford area who explore socially relevant issues and create original theater highlighting these issues. A typical presentation involves a series of short dramatic scenes followed by a discussion in which the actors answer audience questions as their characters.
Refreshments and food are provided. To register, contact Shakir Leacock at [email protected] or (860)647-5223.
- Location: Manchester YSB (63 Linden Street)
- Meet: Sat, 12/17/22, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Youth and Police Bowling and Laser Tag – Join the Youth Service Bureau and the Manchester Police Department for a fun night of bowling and laser tag!
- Meets: Th, 12/20/22, 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM (dinner provided)
- Location: Hall of Fame Silver Lanes/Knights Quest, 748 Silver Lane, East Hartford (transportation provided)
- To Register: Call (860)647-5262 or email [email protected]. Space is limited for this FREE program!
Relax, Restore, Renew – Out with the old and in with the new. Come take some time to unwind and get excited for the year to come! Make your own vision board, get up and try something new (like yoga or Zumba), and do a little self-care. We’ll reflect on 2022 and talk about goals for 2023. This program is designed for youth ages 10-13.
To register, call (860) 647-5260 or email Samantha Bell at [email protected].
- Location: Youth Service Bureau
- Ages: 10 – 13
- Meets: Tuesday 12/27/22, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Fee: No fee
Family Ice Skating – Bundle up the whole family and join us for a private skating event at the South Windsor Ice Arena! Whether it’s your first time or you’re a pro, all are welcome to skate or spectate. Please dress warmly, wear thick socks and bring gloves. There will be a warming room available with hot chocolate and treats!
- Meets: W, 12/28/22, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Ages: Families with children ages 5+
- Location: South Windsor Ice Arena (585 John Fitch Blvd, South Windsor)
- To Register: Call (860)647-5262 or email [email protected]. Registration is required and space is limited for this FREE program.
Flight Trampoline Park – Take flight with the YSB as we jump over to our local trampoline park this winter break! Space is limited and parents will need to sign a waiver for their children to attend. To register, please contact Shakir Leacock at 860-647-5223 or [email protected].
- Location: Manchester YSB (63 Linden Street)
- Meets: Th, 12/29/22, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Taco Friday – It doesn’t need to be Tuesday for you to enjoy tacos! Head down to the YSB where we will build our own tricky tacos and watch movies! To register, please contact Shakir Leacock at 860-647-5223 or [email protected].
- Location: Manchester YSB (63 Linden Street)
- Meets: F, 12/30/22, 12:00 PM – 4:30 PM
For a complete slate of Youth Service Bureau programs, please visit the YSB’s website or call the main office at (860)647-5213.
Over at the Neighborhoods and Families Division, the team is gearing up for its upcoming winter/spring community programming and special events. From farmers markets to dance parties, tax assistance programs to community gardens, Neighborhoods and Families is excited to share its following programming slate:
After another successful summer season, the Spruce Street Farmers Market will be headed indoors! Join the market at its two remaining winter dates: the Indoor Holiday Market (December 17, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM) and the Love Your Local Market (February 11, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM). Both markets will be held indoors at the Nathan Hale Activity Center at 160 Spruce Street.
Both markets will host a diverse slate of local vendors, including farmers, food vendors, artisans, craftspeople and much more. An up-to-date listing of vendors can be found on the Spruce Street Farmers Market’s Facebook page. In addition, the Spruce Street Farmers Market accepts EBT/SNAP and doubles up to $20.00 in SNAP benefits (spend $20.00 in EBT/SNAP and receive an additional $20.00 to spend on SNAP-eligible products).
Have a green thumb? Preparations for the 2023 Spruce Street Community Garden growing season are already under way! The waitlist opens on December 7 (Manchester residents only) and the wait list application will be released to the public on the Spruce Street Community Garden’s website. Registration for garden plots will then open at the Registration Day Event, currently scheduled to be held on Thursday, March 23 from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM at the Eastside Neighborhood Resource Center, 153 Spruce Street.
In addition to free family programming, the Neighborhoods and Families Division will also be partnering with The Village on the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. For a complete listing of required documents and other qualifications, please visit thevillage.org or call (860)236-4511.
For a complete slate of Neighborhoods & Families programs, including the revamped Family Fun Night series and National Poetry Month Celebration, please visit the Neighborhoods & Families website or call the main office at (860)647-3089.
Whatever your interests are, there is a little bit of everything for those in the Manchester community. Remember to register early & join the Town of Manchester’s Department of Leisure, Family and Recreation at their exciting slate of upcoming winter/spring programs!
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About Author
James Costa is the Neighborhoods & Families Coordinator for the Department of Leisure, Family, and Recreation. He began working with the division during his sophomore year at Manchester High School, and he is now a UConn graduate with degrees in Journalism & Film Studies.
Fun Fact #1: I won my car in a raffle during Manchester High School’s Project Graduation.
Fun Fact #2: My all-time favorite movies are All That Heaven Allows, Punch-Drunk Love & Twin Peaks: The Return.