(Supplied)

By Ian Gustafson

Free try it event

Central Sport to host Xplore Sport Day this Saturday

Aug 19, 2025 | 2:49 PM

Central Sport’s Xplore Sport 365 Day is set for this Saturday, Aug. 23.

The free event, which takes place from 12 to 3 p.m. at the Collicutt Centre, will allow residents of all ages to try and learn more about different sports available in the community.

“We’ll have more of the traditional sports like Red Deer Minor Football and the Red Deer City Soccer Association that are going to be there but we’ll also have sports like fencing and biathlon,” said Trevor Thomas, CEO with Central Sport.

“These sports that are a little bit more non-traditional but are in the community and are looking to expand their membership.”

Thomas said it is meant to give exposure to local sport organizations within central Alberta and described it as a tradeshow for these organizations.

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Previously put on by the City of Red Deer, the try it event was taken over by Central Sport a year ago.

“The idea is to create that atmosphere where people can come in and not only see what sports we have but also try it as well,” he added. “Both in the arena and in the field house we’re going to have multiple sports that people are going to be able to try and see what it looks like.”

In total, Thomas said there will be approximately 25-30 local sport organizations attending that will have tables set up throughout the Collicutt Centre. There will also be some service organizations attending including the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and the Red Deer Games Foundation.

Care for Newcomers Red Deer will also attend for people who want to come to the event but English is not their first language.

There will be everything from dance to boxing, football, and many others.

“Maybe you’ll find a sport that you didn’t even know existed or that you didn’t even think about trying,” Thomas said. “With kids it’s tough because you put them in a sport and there’s also that risk that they might not like it the first time. Here they can try it and see if they actually like it and go from there.”

There will also be plenty of free giveaways and prizes to be won.

“It’s a fun day and it doesn’t take up your whole day. You can come in for an hour or two and you can try one or you can try 10 different sports.”