Recreation & Athletics

The recreation program at Portage College is designed to prepare students for the constructive use of leisure time both while at school and upon leaving. Skills are taught during regular class time, and opportunities abound for students to use them during evenings and weekends. The goal of campus recreation is to help students improve their quality of life in a way they choose. There are a variety of opportunities to appeal to all age groups. Let our slogan 'This is Your College' lead you to participate in activities you could only have imagined prior to coming to Portage College!

Active Living
Aerobics, aquasize, and weight lifting are but a few of the programs we offer to students interested in a regular exercise program. Our Be Fit For Life Centre has trained fitness appraisers who can provide students with fitness testing and consultation services.

Aquatics
The College's recreational facilities include a 25m swimming pool complete with hot tub, children's wading pool and steam room. This enables students to participate in activities ranging from recreational swimming to water polo, swimming lessons, and lifeguard certification courses.

Portage Pool Website

Evening Activities
Throughout the school year, evening and weekend programming is offered to appeal to the range of student interest in a variety of formats. In intramurals, the mixed volleyball and slow pitch leagues are always a hit and teams often enter the community league as well. Badminton, archery, and floor hockey are very popular. There are numerous tournaments and special events such as the student/staff challenge, mini golf tournament, skeet turkey shoot, or Rambo (a "capture the flag" game) to keep things interesting. Bicycle touring, wall-climbing, hiking, berry picking... there is always something to do. Trips to Oilers' games, rodeos, and bike trips to the mountains are also offered. Extensive hours of operation allow for plenty of drop-in activities.

Noon Hour Program
For many students, the only chance to take part in recreational activities is at noon time. The noon program is designed to appeal to all students and is offered on a drop-in basis. Activity choices range from volleyball, guitar lessons, archery lessons, aerobics, to golf swing clinics, country line dancing, floor hockey, basketball, and softball. The program is changed every few weeks to keep new things happening. The noon programs provide an opportunity for students living out of town, or those with evening commitments, to participate in activities and meet other students.

Outdoor Recreation
A wide variety of outdoor activities, including winter camping, canoeing, ice fishing, recreational cross country skiing, snowshoeing and sailing, are offered to allow students the opportunity to be in touch with the land. Many of these opportunities are planned. However, we have been known to ski with headlamps or canoe by moonlight with a campfire, cup of tea and bannock at the end of the trail.

Athletics

For students who have the competitive desire, or are interested in thoroughly learning an activity, the athletics program may be for you. The College fields teams in activities that are lifelong pursuits: golf, curling, volleyball, and men’s hockey. The Voyageurs represent Portage College in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) and Alberta Colleges Athletic League (ACAL) competitions across the province, building to national playdowns in appropriate sports. Scholarships and bursaries are available to deserving athletes in all sports.

MEN’S HOCKEY!

Portage College is now a participating member of ACAC Men's Hockey, rated at Jr. A calibre, providing an excellent opportunity for young men with hockey ability to continue to develop in the sport. The elite hockey community is very small, and ACAC competition has proven to lead many players to other hockey opportunities. Portage College offers a wide range of career programs, along with the added benefit of academic upgrading for those requiring it. This presents a unique opportunity for young men to finish off their high school, or take career training while they play. With our generous scholarship opportunities, excellence in coaching, and a commitment to a quality 'class' hockey program, student accommodations and other college supports, the Portage College Voyageurs may be just right for you.

Active Living - Be Fit for Life Centre

THE NETWORK

The Be Fit For Life Network has been Alberta’s source for active living since 1982. The Network is comprised of nine regional centres focusing on providing services, programs and resources to promote the health benefits of active living and physical activity. Schools, communities and workplaces are welcome to access these services.

The Be Fit For Life Network is funded by Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture via the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation and hosting post-secondary education institutions.

VISION

To see Albertans in the Portage College service area living active, health lifestyles.

MISSION

The Portage College Be Fit For Life Fitness Resource Centre provides services, education and resources to encourage self-responsibility in northeastern Albertans to be physically active.

Outline of Services:

· Fitness, Active Living and Wellness Presentations/Workshops

· Development, Collection and Distribution of Resources and Information

· Displays and Demonstrations

· Fitness, Counseling, Fitness Appraisals & Exercise Programs

· Collaboration on Active Living Initiatives

· Linking northeastern Albertans to a vast network of Fitness, Health and Nutrition Professionals.

· Outreach programs and services for communities, schools and workplaces

Located at Portage College (Room 126)

Contact:

Phone: 780-623-5542

Fax: 780-623-5675