Learn a new hobby or pursue your interests while connecting with your local community
Photo by John Newcomb.
While UVic offers a wide array of activities for students, getting off campus and exploring the wider community can be just as enriching. One way to get engaged beyond UVic is by checking out the region’s plethora of community and recreation centres, which have a lot more to offer beyond the standard gym or fitness centre. There are 11 community and recreation centres around Victoria and Saanich, and the District of Saanich and City of Victoria websites provide lists of each of their facilities, to make it easy to find activities near you. These community centres are valuable aspects of student life that create opportunities to interact with other local community-members, and pursue new hobbies and interests for free or at a low-cost.
There are also a number of programs and events that foster connection and engagement in the broader Victoria community, whether you are looking for some good food or to develop a new skill. On the second Saturday of every month, Oaklands Community Centre has a Queer Community Dinner, which they describe as “by queer community for queer community.”
Or, join Quadra Village Community Centre for their Dungeons and Dragons night every Monday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., which welcomes players of any skill level. If you are looking for something more low-key, visit Fairfield Community Centre for their Unwind Victoria Knitting Club, a group open to everyone, no experience necessary; just bring your own yarn and tools!
Interested in learning a new language? Try one of the courses offered through a community centre. The Victoria West Community Centre, for instance, offers French and Spanish classes for beginner and intermediate adults.
If you are looking for some affordable fitness options, local recreation centres have special student rates for many of their facilities and classes. Saanich offers students a discounted rate of $7 for single admissions, and their unlimited access passes are $50 for the first month and $34.70 for subsequent months. The unlimited access pass is valid at all four Saanich recreation centres and includes weight rooms, fitness classes, yoga, and more. Victoria’s Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre also has a student rate of $5.25 for single admission and $52.45 for a month pass. These single and short-term options are great if you don’t want to commit to a term-long membership at UVic’s Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA) — plus, CARSA’s drop-in fees start at $10.
Want to try something new in the arts? Check out the various visual and performing arts classes in your community. Cedar Hill Recreation Centre, for example, offers ceramics classes for any age or skill level, and also has an open ceramics studio for those with more experience, along with other arts-based courses like watercolour painting and printmaking. If visual art is not your thing, check out the variety of dance classes around Saanich and Victoria, including Intro to Salsa at the Gordon Head Recreation Centre, Social Ballroom Dance at Saanich Commonwealth Place, and Ballet at the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre.
Got some time to spare and want to get even more involved with your community? Try volunteering with the local community centres — the Oaklands Community Centre says its volunteers are the “backbone of our organization.” Many events are fuelled by volunteers, offering students the opportunity to make an impact while fostering togetherness and making connections. Whether you want to support programming for children and youth, write for a local newsletter, or work in the community gardens, there is a volunteer opportunity waiting for you right in your neighborhood.
If joining a club on campus feels intimidating, or you can’t find something you’re interested in, community centres offer a great opportunity to connect with the broader Victoria community while pursuing new hobbies. These spaces are about so much more than just fitness; they are a hub for recreation and connection.
