By Carol Sheridan
To our valued patrons and colleagues in Greater Oliver and beyond, please be assured that the safety and enjoyment of our patrons, participants and visitors is our top priority.
As such, we are closely monitoring developments around COVID-19 and following public health authority recommendations, advisories and directions as to policies regarding public use of cultural and recreation facilities at this time.
Oliver Parks and Recreation is taking measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19 through increased cleaning and disinfecting of high touch surfaces, as well as ensuring all front line and key staff are trained on exposure control precautions for COVID-19.
The BC Government issued an amendment to the Public Health Act prohibiting the gathering of 50 or more people (indoors or outdoors) on March 16th, 2020. For this reason, we are issuing notice for the cancellation of the Oliver 10K/3K race scheduled for April 5th and the annual Easter Egg Hunt scheduled for April 11th. The above order expires May 30, 2020 unless revised, cancelled or extended by the BC Minister of Health. We will be working with other event organizers who had events planned at facilities managed by Oliver Parks and Recreation during this time frame to either reschedule event dates or refund facility reservation fees as applicable.
The Society supports the BC Health Minister’s recommendation that people “continue to engage in recreation and leisure activities with increased attention to common sense practices and measures to support social distancing”. The Oliver Community Centre & Weight Room will continue to operate on a reduced basis until Friday March 20, and on this date the administration office, hall and weight room will close until April 6. The Oliver Arena will operate on a limited basis for the remainder of this week and will close for the season on Saturday March 21. Remaining drop-in hockey and public skate times are posted on our website and Facebook page. We will not be able to provide rental skates or helmets at this time and attendants will be limiting participation to less than 50 people at all times. All group fitness classes and recreation programs including camps have been cancelled until further notice (to be reassessed April 6). Please continue to visit our website and Facebook page for further updates as the situation is subject to change.
While all feasible precautions will be taken, it is the responsibility of individuals to assess their own situation and planned activities against the possible risk of COVID-19. Those returning to Canada from wintering down south or vacationing should be self-isolating at home for the recommended 14 days before visiting any recreation facilities. We ask everyone to take all precautions and follow protocols implemented in the various recreation facilities and programs to prevent the spread of infection.
Parks & Recreation staff is ready to answer your phone calls and assist you through this challenging time. Weight Room memberships and fitness/yoga class passes that have been purchased can be suspended until reinstated at the request of the pass holder without any penalty or loss to the pass holder. We will still move ahead with Spring/Summer program registration online and over the phone starting March 20. While program start dates are being reviewed and are subject to change, the department is prepared to issue credits or full refunds for future registered programs and services that need to be cancelled or postponed due to pandemic exposure control measures.
(Carol Sheridan is manager of Oliver Parks and Recreation.)
