COVID issues will delay reopening of community centre

Lumby residents will have to wait longer for the reopening of the White Valley Community Centre.

The recent rise in cases of COVID-19 in B.C. has prompted the Regional District of North Okanagan to delay reopening the centre for bookings.

The Pat Duke Arena is still on schedule to reopen by December, following the completion of the renovations, with strict safety protocols in place. This decision will not impact the Lumby branch of the Okanagan Regional Library, which operates independently within a leased space of the Community Centre.

“The main difference between the community centre and the arena is the availability of staffing. The arena staff are on-site and able to ensure that people stay physically distanced and that the capacity limits and cleaning protocols are maintained. The community centre does not have regular staffing to provide that level of oversight,” said Kevin Acton, Chair of the RDNO Board of Directors.