Indoor Play at Royal City Centre - Drop, Cover, Hold

  Inside this New West Spotlight Newsletter…

 🌦️ New West Weather - Rain with sunny breaks

🗓️ New West Events - What an awesome selection!

🕵️‍♂️ New West Local News - Indoor Play at Royal City Centre - Drop, Cover, Hold

October 17, 2024

 🍺 QPPS Pub Night @ River's Reach - 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM

 🌳 New West Parks & Rec Bi-Annual Tree Sale - 10:00 AM

 ☕️Will You Be My Neighbor - Community Cafe - 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

October 18, 2024

 📖 Tigrinya StoryTime Drop-In Public Library - 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM

 👯 Friday Night Fever 50+- Century House - 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM (register now)

 👻 Ghostly New West Tour - 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

October 19, 2024

 🎨 Art & Craft Supplies De-Stashing Sale - 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

 🍺 Oktoberfest 2024 Paddlewheller Dinner Cruise - 6:00 PM

 🎵 Music of the Night Concert Tour - Massey Theatre - 7:30 PM

 💃 BWCV Pole Dance Class - 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM

 ⛸️Youth Only Skate Night - Moody Park Arena - 9:15 - 9:45

 👯 Dancing at the Redbar Lounge - Starlight Casino - 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM

 📙DougZine Fest - 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM (zine making at 2:00 PM)

 🚸 The Cove Indoor Play: A Safe, Inclusive Space for All Children in New Westminster

In New Westminster, B.C., a new indoor play facility called The Cove Indoor Play has opened, offering a safe and inclusive space for families and children of all abilities. Designed with neurodiverse children in mind, the 4,200-square-foot playground provides a welcoming environment for kids with neurological differences, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and dyslexia.

“Our mission is centered on understanding neurodiversity,” says Trisha Ocampo, founder of The Cove Indoor Play. “Each child experiences the world differently, and we aim to create a space that meets those diverse needs.”

Located on the second floor of Royal City Centre, The Cove boasts several features that cater to children’s unique requirements:

• Sensory-Friendly Zones: Quiet areas with soft lighting and low noise levels allow children to retreat when feeling overwhelmed. Interactive sensory equipment provides gentle stimulation without being overpowering.

• Flexible Play Structures: With options like climbing walls, slides, ball pits, and foam block areas, children of all abilities can engage in play that suits their preferences and skills.

• Social Interaction Spaces: Specially designed zones encourage cooperative play and teamwork, helping children develop social skills in a supportive environment.

• Adaptive Equipment: Inclusive play is ensured with swings featuring harnesses and wheelchair-accessible structures for children with varying physical abilities.

Ocampo highlights that the staff at The Cove undergo specialized training to support neurodiverse children, fostering an atmosphere where every child feels understood and valued.

The Cove’s creation was a collaborative effort, shaped by feedback from neurodiverse families, educators, and therapists. This community-driven design ensures that the playground caters to the diverse needs of its users, offering not only a fun and engaging space but also an important opportunity for children to grow and thrive.

The benefits of The Cove’s approach are numerous. Children can improve their social skills, build self-esteem in a non-judgmental setting, and learn emotional regulation strategies in sensory-friendly spaces. For parents, the facility even offers a relaxing area with a coffee machine to enjoy while their children play.

With its thoughtful design and inclusive focus, The Cove Indoor Play has quickly become a cherished space for families in New Westminster, providing a haven for children of all abilities to connect, grow, and have fun.

Read the full article here.

 🌎️ Preparing for the Big One: The Great B.C. ShakeOut Returns for Annual Drill

The Great British Columbia ShakeOut, organized by the BC Earthquake Alliance (BCEA), is an annual earthquake safety drill designed to help individuals, schools, and organizations practice vital safety measures such as "Drop, Cover, and Hold On." Held on October 17th at 10:17 AM, millions across the globe participate. This event also encourages participants to review their emergency preparedness plans, secure potential hazards in their spaces, and update essential supplies. The BCEA's mission is to foster a culture of earthquake and tsunami preparedness, given B.C.'s high seismic risk.

In British Columbia, the risk of earthquakes is particularly significant, as evidenced by the 1700 Cascadia earthquake, a magnitude 9 event that triggered a massive tsunami across the Pacific Northwest. This underscores the importance of annual preparedness drills like the ShakeOut, which help communities stay ready for future seismic events.

Click HERE to visit the official Shake Out BC site.

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