Shania Twain Centre turns green

Hundreds attend St. Patrick’s Day bash

Posted By CHELSEY ROMAIN The Daily Press

Timmins may not have the lush foliage of Ireland at this time of year, but there was definitely more than enough of the colour green to go around.

St. Patrick's Day brought out the Irish in everyone today, as hundreds filed into the Shania Twain Centre for its annual celebrations.

This is the second year the centre has played host to children and their families, offering an afternoon of fun and games.

"It was a big success last year so we knew we had to do it again this year," said centre manager Tracy Hautanen. "It's a great day for kids to come out and enjoy the Shania Twain Centre."

Not even half way through the afternoon, Hautanen was confident they would beat even last year's numbers as as many as 300 people had already been through. In addition to the inflatables for children to jump through, Smilesnhugs were also on hand to provide balloon animals face painting and other children's games and Katimavik volunteers helped out where needed.

"It's important to get everyone in the community involved," said Hautanen. "In the summer time we get a lot of tourists come through so in the winter we try to become a community centre where people can come out and enjoy themselves."

Edward Millington has been in the city with Katimavik since January and has already been involved in other family activities around town. He said so far he's noticed just how much people in the community become involved in special events.

When in a community participants of the Katimavik program volunteer their time at non-profit organizations. Millington said spending time at events gives them a different perspective on their temporary home.

"I think it gives us a chance to really see the community," he said. "For me, it makes me feel more a part of the community."

As for the sea of green that flowed through the doors, Hautanen said organizers had no hand in it and visitors found the spirit of the day themselves.

"Last year we asked everyone to come dressed in green, but this year we didn't even have to," she said.

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