Focusing on family

The Town of Wabush is going back to its roots for this year's Family Day.

Martina Gale, acting town manager, explained Wabush didn't plan on having a Family Day this year due to budget constraints, but when the Town received some additional funding for the Wabush Arena - and a promise of financial and volunteer help from Wabush Mines to hold the event - it decided to give it the green light.

"Wabush Family Day will be a partnership between the Town of Wabush and Wabush Mines," she stated. "Wabush Mines approached us about having a good, family-oriented event for the community, so we decided to go ahead."

Gale said planning for Family Day has been going on since June and it will take place Aug. 29 at Jean Lake.

The time hasn't been finalized, but she expects it'll go on for most of the afternoon.

"There will be face-painting, music (sound system), a sandbox, family races and games," she explained. "We're going to have more traditional games like sack races because we're trying to go back to a traditional family gathering."

Gale pointed out all the activities at Family Day are free and the town is relying volunteers to make it a success.

The town manager said there are also discussions with the Wabush Teen Centre about possibly holding the Jean Lake Trek - a five-kilometre walk or run around the Jean Lake walking trails - at the same time.

She noted a local resident used to take responsibility for the Trek, but the teen centre has been holding it for the last couple years with help from the Wabush Recreation Department; having the Trek at the same time as Family Day, she said will depend on trail conditions and volunteers.

"We're doing some work on the trail right now," she pointed out. "The water is high on one side of the trail, so we've had to revert to the trail on this side (closest to town) of the lake. Each year we ask them to be part of Family Day, but it comes down to volunteers. We hope it goes ahead."

Gale admitted it is late in the year to hold an outdoor summer event - if it rains it'll be in the Wabush Arena - but considering the number of residents who go out of town in June and July, she thinks it might be the perfect way to close out the season.

"It's an event we feel brings the community together," she said of Family Day. "We encourage people to come out, bring your family and have some fun."