Vernon fields and courts reopen for practice

Jul 9, 2020 | 4:00 PM

More outdoor recreational activities will be able to resume next week in Vernon, but only for practices.

The city has announced bookings can be made for local sports fields and courts as of Monday, July 13.

Competition and contact are still not allowed according to provincial guidelines.

“This is the moment many people have been waiting for,” Mayor Victor Cumming said. “We know many sport organizations are eager to get back on the field or the court to enjoy a North Okanagan summer outside with friends. This is great news, even though our activity is limited to practice or instructional play only, to keep everyone safe.”

British Columbia has entered phase three of B.C.’s Restart Plan, which allows for the return of some outdoor sport activities; however, the viaSport Return to Sport Guidelines, competition and contact are still prohibited in order to help maintain physical distancing.

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In order to book an outdoor facility in Vernon, local sport organizations need to develop a Safe Return to Play Plan. Guidelines for these plans have been created by viaSport, at the request of the province, and provided to provincial sport organizations.

“The safety of players, coaches, organizers and our community as a whole is paramount, so these plans must follow viaSport’s guidelines,” Doug Ross, the director of recreation services said. “Before a group can book a field or a court, they must submit a Safe Return to Play Plan to the city that has been approved by their respective local, provincial or national sport organization.”

As part of its phased reintroduction of recreation opportunities in Vernon, the city has developed Risk Mitigation Plans for local facilities, taking into account protocols and procedures to keep our public spaces clean and safe for everyone.

“The city continues to follow the guidelines and directives of senior governments and Recreation Services is continuing its work on planning for reopening of more recreation facilities when it is safe and feasible to do so,” Cumming said.

by Pete McIntyre

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