The Town of New-Wes-Valley has made it quite clear — it’s time for people in the area to get out, get active, and socialize.
The Town hired Gwen Goodyear, who’s originally from St. Mary’s and has 22 years experience in the field of marketing, to do just that. Goodyear is the program coordinator for the Beothic Arena in Wesleyville, but wants people to know that although the arena is in Wesleyville, it’s there for everybody in the region.
“The reason why the arena was put here is because this is the central location for the area. People look at it and think, ‘Ok, that belongs to Wesleyville.’ I want people to know that the arena belongs to them,” she said last week. “We want everyone to come and participate. If you want to roller skate at the rink over the summer, just let me know and I’ll fit you in. I have a walking program started, and I’m in the process of getting padding put around the outer perimeter of the rink.”
Goodyear was brought in specifically to get the people of the area used to coming to the rink during the summer. She said everyone associates the Beothic Arena with winter sports, but as shown with the success of the recent Cirque Estival stop at the Beothic Arena, the rink can be used for activities other than hockey, curling, and figure skating.
“We need to get people in here…we need particip-action in the communities. We need to start booking this place for parties and for general usage. We had a big circus here recently and drew 1,000 people,” said Goodyear. “I came here too late for the school season, so I couldn’t get the interaction with students. If I could have, I would have went to the school and said, ‘Ok guys, I’m having softball in the summer, so come out and register.’”
“Direct communication with our your people is a big bridge, and I’m having problems crossing it.” - Gwen Goodyear
The biggest obstacle facing Goodyear is direct communication with her target audience. She started a mixed youth softball team and “desperately” needs four more players to round out the roster. However, finding a way to get the word out to youth has been challenging.
“There are no means of direct communication. You can put an ad on the local community channel, or you can post something on Facebook, or you can post signs…but if someone is in a hurry to go into the supermarket, how many will actually stop to look at a sign?” she said. “How do we get through to the people to let them know we’re here, and let them know what we’re doing? Direct communication with our young people is a big bridge, and I’m having problems crossing it.”
Along with the softball team, Goodyear has also started a youth ball hockey team — who played its first game on Tuesday. She said many youth play sports like hockey over the winter, so she wants to give them opportunities to stay in shape when the ice is removed from the rink in the summer.
“I want to keep the youth active over the summer, especially the youth that participate in winter sports, because it’s important to keep in shape,” she said. “Not only that, but they have a lot of idle time on their hands over the summer, so why not take that energy and turn it into something constructive instead of destructive.”
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