Grab your stick and practice

Reporter: Chris Burrows

Students looking for a fun way to pass the time don’t need to look any further than just north of Conlin Road.
The Campus Ice Centre and Campus Tennis Centre offer free services for Durham College and UOIT students, staff and faculty throughout the week.
From 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. students can use one of the six tennis courts for free, with their student ID cards.
Tennis rackets and balls are available for student use, but tennis director Kane Easter does recommend students bring their own rackets because they come in different sizes, and students will be used to their own.
Easter also says students can get one-hour private lessons for $30, and there are clinics they can take advantage of at a 50 per cent discount.
Students can also enjoy free skating from Monday to Friday, between noon and 2 p.m. at the Campus Ice Centre. According to Tim Watson, general manager of the ice centre, the student life department has donated a number of skates, over the years, for students to use at no cost.
Mondays to Wednesdays, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. students wanting to practise their hockey skills can take part in the stick-and-puck program for $3. Gloves, helmet and a stick are required.
“At stick-and-puck there’s a lot of students who use it,” says Watson. “It’s quite popular some days.”
If it’s a game of hockey students are looking for, then on Thursday or Friday from 12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. students can take part in a shinny game for $5.
Full equipment is required, and Watson says he finds a lot more public come out to play, as well as students.
For more information go to the Campus Tennis Centre website at www.campustenniscentre.com or the Campus Ice Centre website at www.campusicecentre.com.