More time to spend at the library

From March 3 to March 7, the Verdun libraries will open early, at 10 a.m. Visitors will consequently have more time to discover the collections, search the Internet, borrow books, DVDs and CDs.

Children and parents are welcome to join in the supervised activities at the gym. At Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs gym, 320 rue de l’Église, activities will take place on Saturday, 10 a.m. – noon for 6-12-year-olds, and 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. for 13-17-year-olds. At the Gymnase de L'Île-des-Sœurs, 530 rue de Gaspé, these activities will take place on the two Sundays at the same times and for the same age groups. And it's all free with an Accès Verdun card.

Open skating periods are scheduled at Aréna Denis-Savard, 4110 boulevard LaSalle, Sunday, March 2 - Saturday, March 8, 1:30 p.m. - 3:15. Free admission for Accès Verdun cardholders. Without this card, adults pay $2 and children, $1.

For 15-year-olds and under, there will be open hockey periods at the arena on Monday, the 3rd; Wednesday, the 5th; and Thursday, the 6th, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. As for 16-year-olds and over, they are welcome at the Auditorium on Monday, the 3rd, and Friday, the 7th, 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m. Complete equipment is required. Please note that there is a maximum of 20 participants and 2 goalies. Free admission with the Accès Verdun card, and $5 without.

Families are invited to École Mgr.-Richard’s swimming pool, 3000 boulevard Gaétan-Laberge, where three family open swimming periods are scheduled: Friday, March 7, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Saturday, March 8, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.; and Sunday, March 2 and 9, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Free admission for Accès Verdun cardholders. Without the card, adults pay $2 and children, $1. 6-year-olds and under and those who don’t know how to swim must be accompanied by an adult.

Three shows for 6-12-year-olds are featured during the school break week. On March 4, at 2 p.m., at Studio B of École de cirque, 5160 boulevard LaSalle, the Théâtre de l’œil company presents the extraordinary show without words entitled Le porteur. On Thursday, March 6, at 10 a.m., at Centre culturel de Verdun, and then at 2 p.m., at Centre communautaire Elgar, 260 rue Elgar, Frédéric Demers and the Jeunesses musicales du Canada are presenting Les 7 trompettes de Fred Piston, an interactive, multimedia concert featuring 7 musicians. And lastly, on Friday, March 7, at 2 p.m., at Centre communautaire Elgar, 260 rue Elgar, the Impact brass quintet and the Jeunesses musicales du Canada will be treating us to their rendition of Pierre et le loup, a true classic blending theatre and music. Please note that with the exception of Le porteur (where no words are spoken), the shows will be presented in French. Tickets cost $2 and are available at the usual locations.

In cooperation with the NFB, two short film programs (presented in French), will be welcoming young movie lovers. On Monday, March 3, at 10 a.m., at Centre culturel de Verdun, we will have a chance to see the Marionnettes en vadrouilles collection. At 2 p.m., at Centre communautaire Elgar, 260 rue Elgar, the collection of short films entitled Les petits conteurs 2 will be featured.