City of Nanaimo Reopening Select Outdoor Recreation Facilities

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed May 13, 2020 3:06 PM

Summary

After careful planning, preparation and consultation with health professionals and professional associations, the City of Nanaimo is reopening select outdoor recreation facilities on Thursday, May 14, 2020.

Numerous outdoor amenities have been closed since March 16, 2020 to help limit the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). On May 6, 2020 the Province of BC announced, beginning in mid-May, it will be easing some restrictions as part of its BC Restart Plan. The City's step-by-step approach to opening select outdoor recreation areas, throughout Nanaimo, is the first phase of an ongoing reopening plan that follows the BC Restart Plan.

The following outdoor facilities will reopen on Thursday, May 14, 2020:

Tennis courts (singles play only unless playing with people from the same household)
Pickleball courts (singles play only unless playing with people from the same household)
Gated dog off-leash parks
Bike park (Steve Smith Park) and pump track at Beban Park

Guideline signage for these areas will be posted at each location to help residents understand how to remain safe and healthy during this pandemic while visiting these outdoor spaces and to ensure, if followed by the public, that they remain open.

These guidelines remind residents to:

Adhere to physical distancing guidelines from anybody outside your household (2 metres or 6 feet)
Wash their hands properly before coming to the park and after leaving
Avoid the area if they are sick or if they have been exposed to someone who has been sick
Not share equipment, food, water bottles or other personal items
Not congregate in groups larger than 50

Playgrounds and indoor recreation facilities, such as recreation centres, arenas and pools, as well as City-owned cultural venues remain closed pending reopening guidelines being worked on right now between the Ministry of Health, WorkSafe BC and other professional organizations, including the BC Recreation and Parks Association.

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

Key Points

Physical distancing has been shown to be effective in preventing the community spread of COVID-19.
City of Nanaimo playgrounds, indoor recreation facilities and City-owned cultural venues remain closed at this time.
The Park Ambassador Program will continue to be present in parks to remind park users about physical distancing and other guidelines for staying healthy. Ambassadors can be identified by their bright yellow vests.

Quotes

"We are pleased to be able to reopen several outdoor amenities in Nanaimo. Because of the community's commitment to following the physical distancing measures outlined by the Provincial Health Officer, we are now able to begin phase 1 of our reopening plan. We want to encourage the citizens of Nanaimo to follow the posted guidelines at each facility so that these areas remain open and that other amenities, in time, can also reopen."

Art Groot

Director, Facility ＆ Parks Operations

City of Nanaimo

Images

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Contact:

Art Groot

Director, Facility ＆ Parks Operations

City of Nanaimo

250-755-7542

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