A new weekly open gym is now underway at Dorchester Consolidated School, giving kids and families a cost-free place to stay active through the winter and beyond.
The program offers supervised play in the school gym and is led by local residents Nina Stright, Tanya Clydesdale, and John Cruickshank, with support from the Municipality of Tantramar.
Hear the story below:
Volunteer-run community program
Cruickshank is one of the organizers helping run Open Gym Wednesdays.
“So it’s all completely volunteer,” Cruickshank said. “There’s an arrangement with Tantramar and the school district … It’s kind of gifted to Tantramar for the hour, as long as we follow the rules.”
He explained that the request to use the gym goes through Tantramar’s active living and culture process, working with the school district to ensure the space is used properly.
Roots in Dorchester Beavers and Cubs
The three organizers are also behind the Dorchester Beavers and Cubs. Cruickshank said while the open gym grew out of that group, it is open to help from across the community.
“I think it’s hard for us not to be Dorchester Beavers and Cubs because that’s what we’re just known for anyway,” said Cruikshank, “We started it up through Dorchester Beavers and Cubs, and left it open to whichever leaders want to get involved.”
Open-ended and focused on fun
Cruickshank said the program does not have a fixed end date.
“Oh, completely open-ended. As long as we want to keep it going, until the weather gets good and kids can play outside, or, we’ll just keep going.”
When asked what he hopes kids get out of the open gym, his answer was straightforward.
“As long as they’re having fun. They’re running around tonight. They’re having fun. They’re just goofing off. The parents are out playing with them. That’s all we want.”
Parents welcome the drop-in format
Parents attending the open gym said the program fills an important gap during the winter months.
Leann Crossman was at the gym with her child and said the drop-in format makes a difference.
“It’s a lot of fun for them to come here and play some sports and get together.”
More events planned
Open Gym Wednesdays run at Dorchester Consolidated School and are supervised each week by volunteers.
In addition to the open gym nights, the Dorchester Beavers and Cubs will be hosting a Touch a Truck day on Family Day 2026, and the group also meets regularly on Tuesday nights.
Clinton Davis is a community journalist and audio producer covering the people, events, and ideas shaping the Tantramar region.
