City of Nanaimo to Reopen Sports Fields and Sport Courts

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed June 18, 2020 1:43 PM

Summary

After consulting with provincial sporting organizations, Dr. Bonnie Henry (BC's Provincial Health Officer) and Island Health, the City of Nanaimo sports fields are now open with sports courts opening by Monday, June 22.

Guideline signage for sports fields and sports courts will be posted at each location to help residents understand how to remain safe and healthy while visiting these areas.

These guidelines remind residents to:

Adhere to physical distancing guidelines from anybody outside their household (2 metres or 6 feet)
Wash their hands properly before coming to the park and after leaving
Avoid the area if sick or if they have been exposed to someone who has been sick or if a child is immunocompromised
Not share equipment, toys, food, water bottles or other personal items
Not congregate in groups larger than 50
Not play contact or competitive sports; drills, skills and modified training only
Book any formal use first through Parks Allocations by calling 250-755-7517

Link to Strategic Plan: The City of Nanaimo is committed to a livable community that ensures the safety and well-being of its residents.

Key Points

City maintenance crews will begin work to reopen the fields and courts commencing on Thursday, June 18 with the aim of having all fields and courts open by Monday, June 22. Artificial turf fields, along with gated basketball courts at Departure Bay Centennial Park, Beaufort Park and Linley Point Gyro Park will be opened first with other amenities following after.
Volleyball courts and basketball courts are included in this round of reopenings. The basketball court at Maffeo Sutton Park is currently closed due to construction in the area and will reopen shortly.
Any formal use of sports fields must be first approved through a parks allocation booking by calling 250-755-7517. You will be asked to provide your safe play plan.
City of Nanaimo indoor recreation facilities, including pools, arenas, the Harewood covered multi-use court, lacrossse boxes and City-owned cultural venues remain closed at this time, but a reopening strategy is being worked on by City staff.

Quotes

"We are pleased to be able to reopen our sports courts and sports fields. We are asking visitors to follow the guidelines posted so that we all do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please keep play casual, non-competitive and non-contact. Now is a great time to train as we cannot allow competitive games."

Art Groot

Director, Facility ＆ Parks Operations

City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

Numerous outdoor amenities were closed on March 16, 2020 to help limit the spread of COVID-19. The City of Nanaimo followed guidelines for Phase 2 from the BC Restart Plan by opening pickleball courts, tennis courts, gated off-leash dogs park and the bike parks on May 14 and playgrounds on June 3.
Indoor recreation facilities, such as recreation centres, arenas and pools, as well as City-owned cultural venues remain closed while City staff review and work on a reopening strategy from "Guidelines for Restarting Operations”.

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Contact:

Art Groot

Director, Facility ＆ Parks Operations

City of Nanaimo

250-755-7542

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