BY ADAM ATKINSON

North Country This Week

POTSDAM — The village recreation program, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in October, is reporting a successful summer season with a total attendance at Sandstoner Beach topping 4,000.  

“Our lifeguards recorded an approximate attendance of 4,262 between June 13th and September 4th, averaging a daily attendance of 51 beachgoers,” said Village Recreation Director Trey Smutz. “The department was delighted to keep the ropes into September this year at Sandstoner Park, but had hoped for some warmer weather during Labor Day weekend for more community members to get in the water at least one last time before the season really starts to change.”

Summer programs offered at Pine Street Arena also fielded good attendance Smutz said.

“The Village Rec Program saw over 50 children partake in 3 weeks of activity this summer and will look to grow on some of the themes and programming for next summer,” said Smutz.

The director said moving forward that village recreation plans to collaborate with other organizations and summer programs to offer a wider range of activities next year. And, the program hopes to offer swim lessons again.

“We will revisit the plan of providing swim lessons next summer and will be urging our current and potential lifeguards to take the required training and classes to earn their certifications to do so,” Smutz said.

Over the summer, village recreation brought about $800 from kayak and paddle board rentals.

“At the moment, we have seen $555.00 in kayak rentals (Over 110 kayaks) and $205 in paddle boards (40+ inflatable stand up boards),” the director said.

With summer 2022 behind them, plans are now underway for fall activities and getting the ice in at Pine Street Arena for the winter season.

“As we set our sights on opening on Indigenous Peoples' Day, Monday October 10th, we continue to compile our master schedule and will once again provide ice time this season for the Potsdam Junior Hockey Association, Potsdam Figure Skating Club, Potsdam Boys and Girls Varsity Hockey, and other Men's and Women's teams and groups, just to name a few. Public skating and other public session times will be announced before our anticipated start in October,” Smutz said.