Civic center boasts ice, pool and track

The Garcelon Civic Center in St. Stephen opened in early September with a bang, as the Maritime Junior A Hockey League County Aces team held two games. Each game was reported full to capacity with spectators. The Quartermain Arena is a NHL-sized ice surface with seats for 1,050 spectators. Along with attending those games, the public can also watch the hockey team practice during their open practice sessions held almost every day.
The new civic center has a full schedule of activities open to the public. The Quartermain Arena is open with free skate hours, Toonie pick‑up hockey open to those 18 and up and more. The track is a low-impact rubberized surface for indoor walking and jogging and is located on the second level deck surrounding the arena. The track is free to everyone of all ages for weather‑free walking and running conditions. The track has activities such as "family track time" and "walk 'n tots track time."
The aquatic and fitness center is expected to be completed and open in October, when an open house will also be held. It consists of a leisure pool, a therapy pool and slide, a dry sauna and a fully equipped fitness room. Once open, the aquatic center will offer instructional, lane, recreational and fitness swimming, as well as swim and lifesaving instruction. The fitness center, located on the top floor and overlooking the aquatic center, will have a roster of commercial grade Cybex and Hoist equipment, including treadmills, Arc trainers, upright and recumbent bikes, spin bikes and machines meant for targeting specific muscles groups, such as outer thigh and multi‑press machines.
The Maritime Junior A Hockey League County Aces team practices at the center and has games scheduled for the season. Attendance is high, with reports of over 1,000 people attending each game held in September. The next game is set for Saturday, September 27, at 7 p.m. AT against the Amherst Ramblers.
For more information about the civic center visit <http://garcelonciviccenter.ca>.