While it doesn’t look like summer outside yet, the City of Airdrie is hoping you can pretend you’re on a sunny beach, regardless, at the second annual Family Beach Blast (FBB), to be held March 22 at Genesis Place Recreation Centre. “I think everyone is a little tired of winter, so we wanted to offer the opportunity to put your shorts on, think summer thoughts and just hurry spring along a little bit,” said Bobbi Thomas, the facility’s preschool, children’s and music programmer. The event will feature several family-fun activities throughout the recreation centre from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Some of the activities older children may find interesting might include competitive dodge ball and basketball. For younger children, the event offers an obstacle course and glow-in-the-dark dancing. According to Thomas, FBB is an opportunity for families to beat the winter blues and enjoy all Genesis Place has to offer – at a discounted rate. “It’s only $10 for families, or if you have a family pass, there is no charge,” she said “We’ll have activities for all ages, the gym, the dance studio [and] some crafts in the multipurpose room. Plus, the pool will be open, as well, for families.” A family drop-in day pass to Genesis Place would typically cost $23.55, Thomas added, meaning FBB is not just a fun activity for local families, but also affordable. The annual initiative started last year, according to Thomas, with approximately 200 people attending. “We do three [special promo events] every year,” she said. “We do the Family Beach Blast, the Halloween Howler, and we also did a Winter Wonderland [in December 2018].” Thomas said events like FBB are a way for Genesis Place to engage with the community in a fun, family-friendly way. “There’s a lot of different things they can do here at Genesis Place, and it’s an opportunity for them to come and spend an evening as a family doing some fun activities,” she said. Going with the summery theme, attendees are encouraged to don their best beach outfits.