I feel like branching out a bit from my usual food posts so I'm deeming this as my "Not So…read moreDeadmonton" series. Welcome to Part 1. Because Edmonton doesn't suck that much, right? RIGHT? People are always complaining about Deadmonton, which is completely justifiable, but hey, sometimes you have to make the best of situations (insert standardized, generic, cheesy line here). Well, this is one of my favourite places to hang out in the summer. You like to play sports? Specifically tennis? You want to play tennis on CLAY? This is the only place in town that has them. 7 clay courts - completely different playing surface than hard courts. There's a sign-up board. Hang your membership card up on the court you're playing on. Bonus that the people that play here are good peeps - if you want to make friends, I suggest going to: - Friday Night Socials (6:00pm - 9:00pm) - Signing up for a tournament: Davis Cup is a loooooooot of fun. One day tourny! - Joining summer league (men's, women's and co-ed teams): Interclub is great. The season is short (end of May - August) and you play once a week. Check out Tennis Edmonton Interclub for more dets. Membership is required here. Here's the 2016 rates. Note: Prices are cheaper if you get the early bird memberships. - Full-time adult: $275.00 - Daytime/weekday adult: $150.00 - Punch pass: $50.00 for 5 visits. This is actually a pretty decent deal if you have commitment issues. Also, if you're a cheap bastard, you can wait till July 15 for their mid-season discounted rates. - Full-time adult: $180.00 - Daytime/weekday adult: $100.00 Are you a noob? Or want to improve your skills? Here's more options. So many options. - Ball machine: There's a ball machine! It's awesome. I've used it once. - Box league: you play x amount of games each month against people your skill level. Sign up required. Not gonna lie, I joined and bailed hard. - Hit list: Sign up onto the hit list with your tennis rating (1.0 - Open level). Contact people to play. Easy peasy. - Monday night clinic (6:00pm - 8:00pm): free drop-in clinic for members. Can't say I've ever been but I'm sure it's great. - Lessons: private ($40.00/hour), semi-private ($50.00/hour) or group lessons (6 sessions - $135.00 for non-members/$120.00 for members). Whatever tickles your fancy. Can't say I've ever done these either but I should... There's also 3 beach courts to play on. Beach is SO much fun. I'm just sad I only played a handful of times this summer. :( Same deal as tennis but here's a few options: - Summer league: Runs May to August and you play once a week. I've never played in the league but really, really want to (it's insanely popular). It's beach 2's so you better be good. Monday (Women's 2's), Tuesday (Men's 2's) and Thursday (Coed reverse 2's) nights. $250.00 fee to play. - Sunday drop-in (6:00pm - 9:00pm): $5.00 gets you in. Good times. - Friday drop-in drills (5:00pm - 7:00pm): $10.00 to participate. Can't say I've ever done it but this will work on your beach skills. So that was informative right? Nothing like hitting a tennis ball/volleyball to make you wish you were as good as the pros.

From the owner: We are Edmonton's finest summer club featuring 7 Nova-Pro clay courts and 3 beach volleyball…read morecourts. For more information, contact our office at (780) 431-2085 or email garneau@garneau-tennis.com!

ERHL is a non-contact men's hockey league (although some teams have a few female players). I've…read moreplayed in the league for four or five seasons and had a ton of fun and met some cool people. The hockey is just your average beer league hockey, not too fast, not too slow and not too chippy. They have both a summer and winter league and I've played in both. I find the summer league is a bit rougher and players seem to be a little less responsible than the winter season. I think there are about 15 games in the summer season, plus playoffs, and 30 in winter, plus playoffs. In winter, the ice times are not ideal, so be prepared to play at 11 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights and the occasional 7 a.m. weekend game. There is usually one game per week. The ice times in summer are much better, usually between 6-9 p.m. on week nights, with two games per week. The league has a newish website which has box scores, schedules, stats and standings. Pretty much everything you would need on the site. The refereeing is not bad. You just have to remember you're an amateur player that makes mistakes on the ice and they are amateur refs who make mistakes too. The league is also good at handling suspensions when they are necessary, which keeps things in check. Like any hockey league, you have the odd idiot on the ice, but that really can't be avoided ;) But I have never felt unsafe and only really felt like someone had intent to injure me, but it was dealt with appropriately.

My son enjoyed his first year of lacrosse. I found it overly organised to a fault. No one knew what…read moreanyones responsibility was and forget coaching, you have to take course after course of online and in room training to be certified even as an assistant!? Remember KISS - Keep it simple S****d! Oh and if anyone challenges your team or anything you do, the Titans organization leaves you out to dry. Good luck.

This facility includes excellent workout facilities, gymnasiums, ice and a great theatre. There's a…read morelittle bit for everyone in this recreation center and while I only visit sporadically I've seen good shows here, watched sports and think it's a great addition to the community of Fort Saskatchewan. There's even an indoor playground for the kids! I like the fact that there's a Booster Juice inside among other food options.

Great rink and indoor soccer etc. I just wish in the gym that there was a stretching area with…read moremirrors, that area seems cramped and awkward and the people downstairs can look up and watch you which is semi-uncomfortable..Otherwise, the staff are very nice and it is clean and they have everything you need!

Visited Clareview Rec Center with the family and my kids had fun…read more They have a swimming pool, basketball courts, gym and indoor playground for the kids which was the main reason we went. At the time we went during the day, it was pretty quiet. Highly recommend for all hour recreation needs and family friendly too!

My understanding is this is a relatively new recreation centre. Its a very large and very nice…read morefacility. Theres a skate park outside the building which I don't think I've seen. I mainly went for the pool today. The change room had those lockers that you punch in a 4 digit code and it saves it and locks it for you. Just remember the code and your locker number. They have the typical 25 meter pool and a kid pool with water jets and beach entry. I seen something called a 'lazy river' which looked like a sort of maze you could meander through, which was kind of interesting. I think these are all salt water. I believe I seen another pool as well that looked shallow, but deeper then the kid pool. Theres a hot tub thats actually pretty large. I seen a steam room but it was closed. Additionally I seen a water slide, as well as 3 tiers of diving boards. Its not too shabby for catching a swim but it would be nice if they had a sauna.

The Strathcona Basketball Association is a great local organization for kids to learn how to play…read morethe game while enjoying a fun group sport. They have been around in Sherwood Park for years. Registrations are annually at the Sherwood Park Mall. My son was registered with them for several years while he was in school snd really enjoyed his experience.

The "SBA" Strathcona Basketball Association is a great place to put your kids into community…read morebasketball.

Playing ball hockey at this soccer centre for the fall/winter season. This place has nice clean…read morelocker rooms and overall facility. Workers are helpful and friendly. There's a confession and bar and great seating for spectators. Lots of parking and washrooms.

The facility manager here is the most rude & obnoxious lady I've ever encountered. She has no idea…read morehow to properly communicate with people. Will NEVER support this sporting facility ever again & I suggest they open up a hiring position to replace her. Absolutely disgusting behaviour.

Nothing has changed this year....zero communication from the business once you've paid your fees…read more In order to get any kind of information, you have to email/call them yourself...even just to find out what team your kid is on. They've also resorted to threatening that your child(ren) will not be allowed to play if you don't volunteer, but they state that they do not give refunds...so if your kids don't play, will they refund your payment? Refuses to answer the question. It's unfortunate that Sherwood Park residents have no other option for spring soccer as this organization is very poorly run, and only in it for the money (although they claim to be non-profit)