The Parks and Recreation Department is finding creative ways to keep people moving and having fun while also raising money for new wrestling mats for its Wolfpack Wrestling youth program.

At 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19, a one-night dodgeball team tournament will be held in the community center for a night of fun fundraising recreation. All proceeds will go toward the $23,000 goal set by the department for the new wrestling mats.

The department is almost one-third of the way to the goal, according to its website.

“We were trying to be creative and do something that would be fun for everyone when we thought of dodgeball,” said Parks and Recreation Coordinator Devyn Johnson. “There used to be dodgeball played here in the past, but they just stopped for some reason. So, we’re bringing it back.”

The tournament is open to competitors 16 and older. Players will throw foam balls at their opponents, trying to hit them and knock them out of the game. Unless their opponents catch the ball, in which case the thrower is out.

The games will be determined when a team has four members eliminated. Team sizes will be determined at the tournament based on how many people register.

Johnson said the department plans to sell hot dogs and possibly have music at the tournament.

The cost will be $15 per competitor, and people may register online at: wrangellak.myrec.com or at the door. To register online, go to REGISTER on the website and select PROGRAMS. Then scroll over to RECREATION and scroll all the way down to sign up for the adult dodgeball tournament.

Spectators will need to pay $5 to watch — cash or check only.

“We’re reaching out to local businesses and organizations to encourage them to put together a team,” Johnson said. “It would be nice for some local entities to form teams. Maybe the fire department or some other entity with the city.”

Johnson said she isn’t sure whether or not she will be able to compete, as she will be working at the event.

“We have other fundraisers planned,” Johnson said. “We haven’t finalized plans or set dates for them yet, but we’re doing what we can to meet our goal.”

Johnson said the plan is to provide the youth wrestlers with a pool party after the goal is reached.