Three Years of Ninja Course Fun

Lakeland Connect spent some time at the Bonnyville Centennial Centre on Monday, March 30th, exploring the new attraction the facility has set up for the 3rd year in a row. As the 2025/2026 hockey season closed it’s chapter, the C2’s Inter Pipeline Leisure Pond was transformed into something you don’t typically expect to see in a community recreation space: a full-scale ninja obstacle course!

Recreation Manager, Tyson Watters, shed light on the purpose of the course, “This is the 3rd year we have brought in the ninja course to the Bonnyville Centennial Centre. The goal is to create a fun environment for kids to be active and to help build confidence through accomplishing the variety of challenges the course offers.”

The course officially opened March 29th and will run through May 2nd, offering kids, teens, and even adults the chance to test their strength, balance, and coordination in a high-energy setting that’s as challenging as it is fun.

Challenging Yourself Yields Rewards

What stands out immediately is how engaging the course is. Located near the front entrance, it draws people in quickly. Once you start, it becomes clear that it’s more difficult than it looks. Yet, that challenge is part of the appeal. It keeps participants moving, trying again, and pushing themselves a little further each time.

Watters expressed, “It’s always amazing to watch the mental and physical progression of these young future athletes break through an obstacle that they thought was impossible. They will run through countless reps until they complete the challenge. This resiliency is so important for their future success.”

Over the years, Watters has played a massive role in positively shaping youth amidst the Lakeland Community. As a former university indoor volleyball student-athlete for Briercrest College and Seminary, multi-year Head Coach with Rhinos Volleyball Club, Head Coach of the 2025 17U Team Alberta Girls team, and father of five, Tyson understands the importance of physical activity and reflects this through his ongoing dedication to mentoring numerous young athletes in the Lakeland.

Instilling movement and exercise at a young age builds resilience and strength during critical stages of development. Watters and the Bonnyville Centennial Centre have done an excellent job promoting this through features such as the ninja course.

High Quality Exercise, Fun & Competition

Since it’s opening, the space has been consistently busy. Thoughtfully designed to be accessible for a wide range of ages, Lakeland kids have been eager to take on the obstacles and improve as they go.

Children age 0-2 can attend with free admission, while ages 3-13 can grace the course with a $15 entry and 14+ at $15 +GST. Schools also have the option to reserve time, making it a strong fit for class activities or physical education programming.

Hours are structured to accommodate Spring Break and parents’ work schedules following the holiday:

• Spring Break: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Regular Monday – Friday: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Regular Saturday & Sunday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Lastly, you won’t want to miss out on the competitive element. The C2 is hosting a ninja course competition on May 2nd, giving participants something to work toward. For only $25, young athletes will have the opportunity to show off their new skills before the course is tucked away for another year.

More than anything, this setup is about movement and participation. It encourages people to try something new, stay active, and enjoy the process—even when it’s challenging.

It’s not just an obstacle course. It’s an opportunity to foster community interaction, introduce fitness to Lakeland’s youth and create an annual experience that patrons of the C2 will look forward to.