Nicole Beauregard, Prince Rupert鈥檚 Recreation Director, has secured a seat on the BC Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) board, where she is committed to advocating for the North.
Following a competitive election process involving 126 communities, Beauregard will serve a term with the non-profit from 2025 to 2027.
Since 1958, BCRPA has played a key role in enhancing the quality of life for British Columbians by championing the power of recreation and parks, the organization says.
鈥淚鈥檓 really excited to elevate recreation, sport and physical literacy in Prince Rupert,鈥� said Beauregard. 鈥淭he North has a different reality and a different lens than the rest of the province. So being the only board member from the North, it is really important to be able to bring that lens forward for engagement."
On the board, Beauregard aims to focus on equity, inclusion, accessibility, and diversity. She鈥檚 passionate about tackling the unique challenges of northern communities, boost the region鈥檚 profile in the sector while also bringing in additional research resources, training, and industry support.
鈥淎t the end of the day, you can鈥檛 offer the same things down south as you offer in the North. It costs three times more to do anything up here, and that鈥檚 not an equitable design,鈥� she said.
Due to current financing models, access to materials and resources such as expert training and capital projects can be tough in the region.
With Prince Rupert being more than 55 per cent Indigenous, Beauregard wants to make sure all communities are heard and supported with appropriate resources while also learning from leaders across the province to improve programs and services.
Beauregard is a seasoned professional with 28 years in the recreation field and 13 years in municipal government and consulting for the non-profit NGO Sport for Life.
In January, she launched the 鈥淯nplug and Play鈥� initiative, which combined literacy, physical conditioning, and community engagement. It provided a free week of activities to encourage everyone to disconnect from their devices and explore new pursuits.
Through such free trial offerings to raise awareness, she aims to transition these activities into more permanent programming, such as the Enhanced Mobility program the city successfully ran last year. This included introductory workshops on enhanced mobility and falls prevention, along with a physical literacy movement classes. They also supplied at the local library for people looking to strengthen or maintain their functional abilities.
鈥淲e鈥檙e always looking for those opportunities to get people moving and engaged, socially as well,鈥� the director said.
鈥淚鈥檝e been passionate about sports science, physical literacy, for a long time. I鈥檝e been coaching for many many years on the ground, multi-sport, gymnastics.鈥� Beauregard鈥檚 current favourite recreational activity is golf.
鈥淚 have the skills and the foundation to participate and play and have fun. And that鈥檚 really, really what it鈥檚 about. It鈥檚 not about being an expert in one specific designated area of movement,鈥� she said. Her approach focuses on opening the realm of possibilities for Rupertites to live an active, engaging lifestyle.
Physical literacy is not just for recreation, it applies to everything, from leisure to vocations like firefighting or construction, where physical competency is key.
At its core, such knowledge encourages activity, which reduces issues like obesity and sedentary lifestyles, ultimately supporting better health in the north. Physical activity helps prevent chronic diseases, including around 22 conditions linked to sedentary behaviour and obesity.
It also enhances mobility, improves quality of life, and helps older adults live independently longer. They are able to feel confident doing everyday tasks like dressing and showering by themselves. Plus, it aids in injury prevention, meaning fewer trips to the ER for northern residents and speeds recovery if medical treatment is needed.
Beauregard emphasizes that physical literacy goes beyond the physical, incorporating psychological and social-emotional elements, making it a cornerstone of overall wellness.
鈥淚f I had to attend a skating birthday party for my niece and nephew, I could come and be that adult on the ice and play with those kids because I learned how to skate. But if I never learned how to skate, I wouldn鈥檛 be able to go to my niece鈥檚 and nephew鈥檚 birthday or take them to the pool, or that kind of thing,鈥� she said. 鈥淲ithout those foundational skills, a lot of kids and folks miss out. And really, at the end of the day, that鈥檚 what the recreation department is for, to open the doors of opportunity.鈥�