The Town of Manchester’s Department of Leisure, Family and Recreation’s 2024 Winter/Spring programming season is officially kicking off on December 6th, 2023! With a robust slate of programs, projects, and special events on the horizon, be sure to check out our brochure!

Program registration opens on Wednesday, December 6th (Manchester residents) and Friday, December 8th (non-residents). Registration can be completed online, over the phone at (860)647-3084 or by visiting:

• Center Springs Main Office (39 Lodge Drive)
• Community Y (78 North Main Street)
• Customer Service Information Center (41 Center Street)
• Manchester Senior Center (549 East Middle Turnpike)
  
  

Please note that voicemails will no longer be accepted on registration day at the Center Springs Main Office

In addition, starting on Monday, January 1st, 2024, the Department of Leisure, Family and Recreation is offering ALL Manchester residents a free Recreation Membership Card for the 2024 calendar year, made possible through funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Visit one of the Department’s  offices to create a new recreation card, renew your current card or open a brand new household account! This offer is available to Manchester residents only (youth, adults & senior citizens).

For the complete listing of programs and special events, please click here to view the 2024 Winter/Spring Program and Event Guide.

Recreation Division

Within the Town of Manchester’s Recreation Division, indoor swim lessons and aquatic programs have become a staple point of the winter and early spring. Indoor swim lessons will be offered at Manchester High School starting in late January, with offerings for those of all abilities, including infants, first-time youth swimmers, advanced lessons and even adult sessions. For those looking to continue their aquatic journey, classes such as Total Aqua and Hydro Fitness provide cardio and strength training, all from within the swimming pool!

Looking for open swim time at Manchester High School’s Main and IOH Pools? Open swim will be available between Tuesday, January 8, 2024 and Thursday, June 6, 2024 and will follow the below weekly schedule:

• Main Pool Monday & Wednesday, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
• IOH Pool Monday & Wednesday, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
  • Saturday, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM in the IOH pool only. (Saturday open swim begins January 27 and ends March 23.)

At the revamped Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center, indoor youth athletic leagues and lessons will be offered, including for indoor tennis, co-ed indoor soccer, dancing and non-contact flag football. In addition to session play, drop-in basketball will also be available at both the Leisure Labs and the Community Y Rec Center. The winter/spring schedule is as follows:

• Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center (Mondays-Fridays)
  • 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (12 & under)
  • 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (13-15 years old)
  • 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (16+)
• Community Y Rec Center (Mondays-Fridays)
  • 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (13 and under)
  • 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (14-15 years old)
  • 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM (16-17 years old)

For those looking for additional fitness opportunities, the Community Y Fitness Center is open from 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM (Monday-Friday) & 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Saturday). For further information on the Fitness Center, please call the Community Y at (860)647-3164.

Over at the Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center, programming expands far beyond the traditional recreation fare. Developmental programs such as Intro to Digital Design and Intro to Crochet aim to provide an educational opportunity outside of the classroom, and the Art Lab will host weekly themed craft projects, including Winter Wonderland, Handprint Cardinals, Paper Butterflies and much more. Friday Night Specials will also be offered in the new year, including movie screenings, a hot chocolate social and more.

For further details on the Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center’s slate of upcoming programs, exhibits and events, please click here.

 Finally – it wouldn’t be the holidays in Manchester without the Recreation Division’s annual Holiday in the Park, scheduled for Saturday, December 16 from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM at Northwest Park, 448 Tolland Turnpike. Come enjoy this drive-through event, where you’ll find your favorite winter characters, treats and even a surprise gift!

 For questions regarding the Recreation Division’s slate of programs and special events, please contact the Division at (860)647-3084.

Youth Service Bureau

At the Youth Service Bureau, programs are offered for children of all ages, starting with infants/early childhood all the way up to teenagers. Located at 63 Linden Street, the Youth Service Bureau is committed to helping youth and their families learn the skills they need to be more successful at home, in school and throughout the community.

At the Northwest Park Early Childhood Center, playgroups and caretaker-oriented programs are offered to establish early childhood communities and to provide socialization and free play opportunities. The Early Childhood Center will also host a variety of special events, including the annual Early Childhood Fair (February 10) and a slate of springtime playgroups, including themed sessions such as Truck Day, Earth Day and Princess Day.

For questions regarding any Early Childhood programs, please contact Caitlin McNamara at [email protected].

For school-aged youth and teenagers, the YSB offers a variety of afterschool programs and weekend events that provide fun and educational socializing opportunities. Programs such as Journey, a service learning program with an emphasis on environmental education and leadership, allows for youth to grow their interests and abilities outside of the classroom. For those grades 7-12, the Teen Center is open every Wednesday (12:30 PM – 5:30 PM) and allows youth to come together to socialize in a structured, supervised environment.

In addition to these offerings, the YSB has a variety of programs & projects focused on positive youth development. From Boys II Men, which is designed for young men who can benefit from the guidance, friendship and experiences of an adult role model, to the FACTS project, an initiative focused on substance use prevention for young people, the Youth Service Bureau is committed to holistic, forward-thinking programs.

For questions regarding the Youth Service Bureau’s programs and special events, please contact the Bureau at (860)647-5213.

Neighborhoods & Families Division

Over at the Neighborhoods and Families Division, the long nights & brutal cold isn’t slowing down their slate of programs and special events. This includes the Spruce Street Farmers Market, which is making its winter home at the Nathan Hale Recreation Center, 160 Spruce Street. The slate of indoor Spruce Street Farmers Markets includes the annual Indoor Holiday Market (December 16, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM) and  Love Your Local Market (February 10, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM), as well as the first annual Indoor Spring Market (May 4, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM).

For further information on the indoor market series or to apply as a market vendor, please visit the market’s official website.

Looking for a fun, cozy night out with the family? Be sure to visit the Nathan Hale Movie Night series, with free, family-friendly movie screenings on the first Friday, January-April (screenings start at 6:00 PM). With screenings including Inside Out, Paddington, My Neighbor Totoro & Shaun the Sheep, there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy.

The new year will also see the return of the free Family Fun Night series at the Nathan Hale Recreation Center. Family Fun Nights are based on the idea that, when it comes to creating meaningful connections – fun comes first! These events provide families a positive, no-cost opportunity for connection and recreation. Family Fun Nights run the 3rd Friday of the month from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, with themes including:

• January 19th: Board Game Night
• February 16th: Valentine’s Day Dance
• March 15th: Family Jeopardy Night
• April 19th: Arts and Crafts Night
  
  

Alongside the slate of Nathan Hale Movie Nights and Family Fun Nights, the Nathan Hale Recreation Center will also host open court pickleball sessions during the upcoming winter/spring programming season. From beginners sessions for those looking to dive into the “world’s fastest growing sport” for the first time, to intermediate/advanced sessions for the more competitive, seasoned players, pickleball sessions are available for those of all abilities and skill levels.

Over at the Eastside’s Spruce Street Community Garden, monthly sustainability learnshops will be offered, including on topics such as food waste to compost, at-home composting, vermiculture and more. For further details on the Spruce Street Community Garden’s 2024 growing season & learnshop slate, please visit the SSCG’s  website.

For questions regarding the Neighborhoods & Families Division’s slate of programs and special events, please contact the Division at (860)647-3089.

This winter, we encourage all to join in with the diverse program options  and special events offered by the Town of Manchester’s Department of Leisure, Family and Recreation. Whether you are interested in sports and athletics, leisure programs, family events or more, there are offerings available for everyone of all ages, abilities & interests.