The City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services is pleased to offer another year of FREE Youth Activity Centre (YAC) programming aimed at providing fun, creative, and safe opportunities for youth to enjoy during the summer months. All centers provide a variety of fun, free activities, with a focus on sports, arts and crafts, dances, BBQ days, theme days, pool days, and more!   This year, programming will be offered from Monday, July 4th through to Thursday, August 25th from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at three locations:    ·       YAC Junior (Valleyview Community Centre, 77 Whillier Drive) – Ages 7-9 years  ·       YAC East (East End Community Centre, 405 Park Street) – Ages 9-15 years  ·       YAC West (West End Community Centre, 247-23rd Street) – Ages 9-15 years  For the health and safety of all involved with the program, youth who do not fall into the appropriate age categories WILL NOT be able to participate. No exceptions!   An early registration and BBQ kick-off event will be held at the East End Community Centre (405 Park Street) on Thursday, June 16th from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. Hot Dogs, Chips and Drinks can be purchased for $1 each to help raise funds for this years’ YAC program. Please note that YAC registration does not guarantee access. Space is granted daily on a first come, first served basis with maximum capacities enforced.  The YAC program is offered in partnership with the Central Council of Community Centres who offer support through the receipt of provincial and federal grants. This partnership helps to ensure YAC is free for youth in our community.   More information about YAC can be found at brandon.ca/yac or by calling City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services at 204-729-2257.  (City of Brandon PSA)

Operation Brain Freeze is a program that rewards children and youth for acts of kindness or for following safety guidelines and regulations. The program is being held for the first time in Brandon from June 15, 2022 until September 5, 2022 through the partnership of Heritage Co-op Ltd, Western Nations Gas Bar and Brandon Police Service. Throughout the summer, children and youth in Brandon may receive a coupon for a free ice cream from the new Western Nations Gas Bar on 18 th street N. or a free Big Cool shush from any of the Brandon Heritage Co-op gas bar locations. In order for youth to qualify for a coupon, members of Brandon Police Service must catch a young person in the act of being kind or playing safe. “We are glad to work with the Brandon Police Service on this community building effort. We hope for a safe and fun summer for everyone, especially the kids in our communities,” says Co-op General Manager Dennis Laing. “This will be a very fun program for our officers to be a part of,” adds Chief of Police Wayne Balcaen. “Recognizing and rewarding positive actions of youth isn’t something our officers normally get the opportunity to do. We hope that this small gesture will help build on the youth’s confidence and sense of community.” The Operation Brain Freeze Program is intended to recognize young people who are contributing to our community in small but meaningful ways. They could be obeying the rules of the road on their bikes, wearing a helmet, picking up garbage, or sharing playground equipment with others. Chief Ledoux of Gambler First Nation and the employees of the new Western Nations Gas Bar are excited to see a program that benefits Brandon youngsters with fun rewards and cool treats throughout the summer. Officers will be out this summer looking for opportunities to reward the youngsters with a cool treat, so go outside and get caught being nice or playing safe!

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At approx. 7:15 PM Saturday, security at the Summer Fair called stating that a male, who was found in possession of a machete, had been bear-sprayed by another unknown male.  Officers attended and arrested the 15 year-old accused, who had the machete concealed in his pants.  The suspect with the bear spray fled the fairground prior to police arrival, and has not been located.  The victim / accused refused to provide the name of his attacker to police, and he was subsequently released from custody, on appropriate police imposed conditions. He is scheduled to appear in court on July 19th, charged with possession of a weapon, and carrying a concealed weapon. Police were called to the Summer Fair at approx. 9:20 PM for a male, that security had apprehended, after he flashed a handgun in his waistband. Upon police arrival, the male was being detained on the ground by security. A replica Glock 19 BB gun was recovered from his waistband.  The 17 year-old accused remains in police custody and will appear before the court today facing a breach of probation and weapons related charges.

Source: BPS News Release A 27 year-old male was criminally charged with injuring or endangering an animal after an investigation, initiated by BPS Animal Control Officers, revealed that he was responsible for acquiring and injuring domesticated animals, mostly felines.  The accused was released on appropriate police imposed conditions and is scheduled to appear in court on August 15th.

Due to mechanical issues, the Kinsmen Pool’s opening will be postponed. Crews are working on getting the issues fixes as soon as possible. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to enjoy the Spray Parks and Paddle Pools that opened earlier this week or visit Brandon’s Community Sportsplex Pool. The City of Brandon thanks all patrons for their patience as we get the pool up and running for this season. More information on Parks & Recreation Services programming can be found at mycommunity.brandon.ca or by calling 204-729-2471. 9City of Brandon PSA)