News

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE:

Welcome to Summer 2024 - it's been an interesting Spring, to say the least.

With some amazing volunteer efforts over the past two months, we as a Norway Bay Community have managed to come through this looking pretty good, at least in my somewhat biased view.  We've got a brand new dock configuration for swimming setup, and while I know it's not what we're so accustomed to seeing, it proves that teamwork is always the winning solution! And I think it's fair to say that how we rallied, and what have as a community built - is making people feel pretty comfortable that things are going to keep going forward, and what we all cherish in terms of the Norway Bay traditions are still solid and moving ahead.  And not to mention that all the other programs - Field Sports, Tennis, Basketball, Pickleball, Theatre, Canoe, Regatta, etc are all still happening too. The kids (and let's be honest that's why most of us are reading this) will adapt quickly and let us know pretty quickly what we need to tweak.  The initial feedback has been very positive and we are very ready to adjust as necessary as the season moves forward.  This is a big change, but we now know it will work!  

So as I look at the bigger picture, this year so far has certainly presented some unforeseen challenges, both in terms of the obvious Pier access, but also in terms of the uncertainties around all the program activities that depend on it, and the inevitable time constraints that dealing with addressing those questions has imposed on all of us at the NBMA.  We all feel grateful that with the tremendous support of the whole community, we have in place what we need, and are moving forward with all the swimming and all other programs.  But I want to let people know that many of those challenges still impact us, and will for the next while.  I was quite worried when the announcement about the Pier came out and feared that we would not be able to continue with what I see as our primary mandate:  to provide the children of Norway Bay with a fun, SAFE, and enriching environment in which to learn and grow.  We have, and will continue to do that - thanks to your help!!.  But as most of you know, that is not just an NBMA goal - that is a Norway Bay Community goal.  And I would like to call on the community to help us ensure that we can continue to fulfill that responsibility.  

With the combined impact of three very significant realities, namely the residual results of the pandemic, the closure of the Pier (and associated uncertainty around availability) and the ongoing inflationary impacts on costs - staff wages but also other elements like supplies, insurance, utilities and others, we as an NBMA organization are truly feeling the pinch.  As a team, the NBMA Board has worked very hard to trim costs, streamline programs and activities, and re-visit many of our activities, and have made a lot of progress on these fronts. However, the reality is that many people that weren't certain if programs would be available had to make alternative arrangements, and so our registrations are down from past years.  Early results seem to show that they are starting to pick up, but not to where we need them to be.  I don't have to remind any families out there about the concurrent inflation's impact on everyday costs.  The NBMA is feeling the same pain.  

So as we move forward in this most interesting 2024 season - one that is going to be memorable for a lot of great reasons - I am asking the Community to acknowledge both the efforts and importance of the NBMA and its activities.  We have already had a very successful Kick-Off Event (the Chili Cook-Off event), and have several more coming including the Golf Tournament and the Trivia Night (please see below).  But we need more.  I would respectfully ask that if anyone in Norway Bay was thinking of perhaps making a donation, or volunteering to help us, that this would be a great time to act on that.  We want to be able to continue to grow, and at the same time be able to respond properly to the whatever is in store.  Perhaps that's some necessary upgrades to Centennial Hall (such as the washrooms & kitchen facilities, the ventilation and the entire structure), perhaps the inevitable investments we will need to make to accommodate the new Pier configuration as it evolves, perhaps simply to be better able to exploit what we have - such as shade structures at the swimming docks, or the tennis/pickleball court.  But we'll need your help to be able to do that.  

As President, I am (respectfully) asking that if any of you can help us out, this would be very appreciated.  Below is a link to donate to the NBMA, which would be much appreciated - and allow us to continue to provide the experience that all of our children want.  Thank you VERY MUCH in advance.  

Link to donate: click here

Warm regards,

Pat Byrne, President

SWAG POP-UP STORE:

Hello everyone, due to some unexpected and extremely unfortunate hiccups, this year's Norway Bay Swag Store is a mini pop-up version featuring a fun new 2024 graphic, reminding us that "happiness comes with currents", especially the current in our beloved river.

All stock is live on the website and when an item is out of stock, it is no longer available. We have tees (long and short sleeved), tank tops, and hoodies for both kids and adults, as well as some new fun baseball caps! 

We hope to have a better store for you next year and appreciate your ongoing support.  Please remember that all proceeds go to the NBMA and that this is a fundraiser.

Please visit the store and purchase your Norway Bay items now!  

No shipping is available, all items are "Porch Pick Up" beginning mid-July.

https://norway-bay-general-store.myshopify.com/

SOCIAL EVENTS UPDATE:

Saturday July 13th: Fourth Annual Norway Bay Golf Tournament 

We invite all members to attend the NBMA 4th Annual Golf Tournament and Lunch on Saturday July 13th. This fundraising event will consist of a four-golfer per team best-ball format. Lunch will follow. If you wish to attend only the lunch that will also be an option. 

Location: The Astra Estates (Norway Bay Golf Course)

Time: Check-in will begin at 9:00am with a shotgun start at 9:30am sharp.

Lunch: Lunch will be served at 11:45am. 

We look forward to hosting you for an action-packed day of friendly golf, good food and fun!

Registration is limited to 72 golfers so we encourage you to get your teams signed up as soon as possible.

To register, please email bethmcgahern@bell.net or julia.hardie@ocsb.ca to ensure all golfers are in their desired groups.

We will once again have four categories of registration depending on whether someone is a Norway Bay Golf Club Member: Junior (16 & under) Member, Junior Non-Member, Adult Member & Adult Non-Member. 

The cost of golf and lunch is $60.00 per person ($45 if you are a member of Astra)

Lunch only: $30.00 (per person). 

TO REGISTER FOR THE GOLF AND/OR LUNCH, PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM. PAYMENT WILL BE COLLECTED SEPARATELY.

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MEMBERSHIPS:

Please remember to renew your NBMA membership by going to www.nbma.ca

Reece Bastien will be at the park handing out Membership Placards during field sports on the evenings of Tuesday, July 9th, Monday, July 15th and Monday, July 22nd.

NBMA Spring 2024

Hello NBMA Community:

We hope everyone is doing well and is gearing up for spring. It looks like winter is back here in Norway Bay as we’re getting snow again!! But spring is certainly on its way, and with virtually no snow and very little ice, we expect an early season this year.

I’m sure most everyone is aware of the rather unfortunate news regarding the pier. The engineering report received by the Municipality (based on testing and evaluation done in the late fall) has confirmed worst fears – the Pier has been deemed unsafe for use, and more importantly unsafe to attach docks to (either our own NBMA swimming docks, or the Bristol municipal boat docks on the other side of the pier). As a result, we have been VERY busy trying to figure out alternatives to be able to provide ‘deeper water’ swimming programs and activities. More about that below.

But the good news is that ALL other NBMA programs are moving ahead, including the beach-based elements of the swimming program. We are certainly a bit behind in our communications, as the pier activities have taken up a lot of our time, but we are very excited to announce that the summer jobs will be posted by Thursday March 21st; with the full timetable for applications, interviews and hiring also posted at that time. So please stay tuned for those, and certainly let anyone else you interact with know that those are coming – and that importantly there will be no changes to the other programs!

As for the ‘deeper water’ elements of the swimming program, the NBMA is working closely with Bristol staff and council to determine what, if anything, can be set up to facilitate deeper-water swimming program activities in time for this summer season. Bristol staff and council are still trying to understand what can and cannot be done without impacting safety and liability restrictions.  We hope to have specific announcements very soon, but until we can confirm what might be configured (and when), and whether that could be used to facilitate a safe and effective environment to teach the necessary swimming programs, we are unfortunately unable to commit to any specific deep water swimming. 

Please be patient, as we recognize the impact this delay has on children hoping to enroll in these programs, parents trying to coordinate summer plans and potential instructors anticipating employment this season.  As soon as we get confirmation one way or the other, we will communicate immediately with our NBMA community.  These are certainly extraordinary circumstances, and not something we had expected - but still certainly something that we need to get clarity on as soon as possible. 

I want everyone to know that the NBMA recognizes the critical importance that the summer programs play in many people’s plans, and as such are doing everything we can to try and preserve as much as we can with those longstanding and very loved activities. Our first – and primary – responsibility is to provide a safe, open and fun experience for both children in the programs and the instructors and Supervisors of those programs. Rest assured that as soon as we can assure a safe and effective environment for the swimming program, we will communicate that to everyone within Norway Bay. Please be patient and thank you in advance to everyone for your understanding (and help) in making these unexpected changes to these longstanding cornerstones of the Norway Bay experience.

For questions about the pier, boating and fishing, please contact the Municipality of Bristol (http://bristolmunicipality.qc.ca). 

For questions about NBMA programming, please reach out to me, Patrick Byrne, my contact details can be found below.  However, please know we don't have many answers right now, please be patient and stay tuned, we will communicate everything the moment we have news.

IMPORTANT DATES:

All NBMA jobs will be posted on Thursday March 21st on the NBMA website (www.nbma.ca).

A Zoom based online job fair for all those interested in a summer job will be held the evening of March 25th. Details will be emailed and posted. 

Thank you,

Pat Byrne

NBMA President

patrickdbyrne@hotmail.com

Open Mic, Regatta Dance and More!

Hello Norway Bay,

OPEN MIC

We are eager once again to host this year's upcoming Open Air - Open Mic Night, this coming Thursday, August 3rd at 8pm! Doors open at 7pm with our performers beginning at 8pm.  Weather permitting, we will be gathering on the basketball court at the park. In the case of rain, the event will take place inside Centennial Hall. 

For those who wish to perform, performers must be at least 15 years of age or older and are encouraged to bring their own instruments. Registration for performers will take place on-site around 7pm.  

Admission tickets may be purchased on-site as you arrive. Tickets are $10 for everyone age 16 and over, age 15 and under are free. There will be a cash bar (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). 

Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Reece Bastien at, reece.bastien@gmail.com  or Marc Richard at richama99@gmail.com.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you all for a nice evening under the pines with music from our local artists! 

REGATTA DANCE

We are so happy to be preparing for the 2023 Regatta Dance, to be held at Centennial Hall on Saturday August 5th. We are also very excited to announce  that we have a new band, The Decades playing! The Decades come highly recommended by our previous band (The Start), who are sadly out of the country this year. 

Tickets will be on sale online for $15 per ticket or you can purchase tickets at the door for $20 per ticket. All attendees must be over 18 and have valid government-issued ID.  ID will be checked at the door. 

Please click here to purchase tickets. 

DANCE VOLUNTEERS!

We’re calling for VOLUNTEERS to help make this event a huge success. We need people to help set things up, bartenders, sell drink tickets, cook hotdogs, clean up, and greet fellow partiers at the door. 

Please click here to sign up for shifts! Working at the dance is a  surprisingly great time!!

NBMA Update 7/27/23

Hi Everyone, welcome to the 2nd Regatta weekend!

Don't forget Friday Night is the NBMA Musical Theater Performance of Rapunzel! Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts at 7:00. Pay what you can at the door with all proceeds going to support the NBMA programming for our children. You can also bid on our silent auction items which include family passes for the museum and much more. We will also be selling pop, water, juice boxes, candy, and chips for two dollars each. Come on out and support the arts!

NBMA Regatta Weekend #2

Saturday:

Long Distance Run

Registration is 8:30am, race starts at 9:00am

Centennial Park

Saturday:

Field Day

10:00AM start

Centennial Park

Sunday:

Triathlon

Registration 9:30am, start time at 10:00am

Pier Beach

Project 529 Bike Registry 

Cadets from the MRC Police Department will be at the Municipal Beach on Sunday morning (timing coincides with the NBMA Triathlon) to promote the Project 529 bicycle registry. Project 529 was started 15 years ago in Seattle as a way to help reduce bicycle theft and help owners of stolen bikes. More can be learned by visiting their website at https://project529.com/garage.  Please come out, register your bikes and meet our local police officers. 

NBMA Merchandise!

A limited selection of tees, hoodies, hats and more are still availalbe! Order online and pickup is local at 159 River Rd. 

https://norway-bay-general-store.myshopify.com/

Tennis Court Fundraiser!

Please click here to donate towards the NBMA new tennis court!

https://nbma.wildapricot.org/sys/website/?pageId=7744