By Carol Sheridan

As the measures taken to control the pandemic enters their third month in BC and across the nation, 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.

Through a high level of collaboration with organizations and associations within the recreation sector, as well as the local municipality and regional district, the Oliver Parks and Recreation Society is working to create a phased recovery plan to increase access to facilities and recreation services in the coming weeks. 

Dr. Bonnie Henry has consistently maintained the importance of getting outdoors and Oliver Parks and Recreation shares this position that connecting with nature and being physically active remain a key factor in an individual’s overall health. The Society also recognizes that physical distancing, consistent hand hygiene and avoiding places with crowds is essential to preventing the spread of COVID-19, and that this will be “the norm” for the foreseeable future. 

We are grateful to the Town of Oliver for their assistance with the addition of signage, portable washrooms in the downtown core and Park Ambassadors that will be focused on education of COVID-19 measures and bylaws, supervision of park facilities and disinfection of touch points in Lion’s Park throughout the month of May. 

All Oliver parks, green spaces and trails remain open at this time to provide an opportunity to care for pets, walk, bike, and connect with nature. Public washrooms are open from 8:00am-8:00pm in Lion’s Park, Community Park, Kinsmen parking lot and Rotary Park and are being sanitized every 3 hours. As of May 2, the Small Wheels Park and Off-Leash Dog Park in Lion’s Park have re-opened, however it is essential that people respect the terms of use if they are to remain open: 

  • Physical distancing (minimum of 6.5ft or 2m) must be maintained at all times. 
  • Visitors must maintain strong hand hygiene by using hand washing facilities provided and are discouraged from gathering in groups with others. 
  • Please do not visit parks if you or anyone you are close with is feeling unwell or has been exposed to COVID-19. 

Another phase of outdoor park amenities reopening with restrictions on use including sport courts/fields and outdoor fitness equipment is being planned for the end of May, however until such time that we have received notice from BC Health that it is safe to open; the following recreation facilities will remain closed: 

Rotary Park Playground 

Tots & Tykes Playground (Community Park) 

Sports Fields (Community Park) 

Tennis/Pickleball Courts 

Kinsmen Park Playground 

Lion’s Park Playground & Outdoor Fitness Equipment 

Oliver Community Centre & Weight Room 

Recreation Administration Office 

COVID-19 will also affect the Roots and Fruits Expo and we have held off making a call in the hopes that messaging from the provincial government would be more positive towards allowing events to take place. Unfortunately, all of the messaging has remained very consistent – no gatherings will be recommended this summer. As such, in order to follow the guidelines set out by BC Health and to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, we will not be holding the Expo in 2020. The planning committee is working to shift thinking away from how the festival has been operating and focus instead on what operational changes could be made in order to offer some sort of opportunity in August to celebrate Oliver’s agriculture and history. 

Recreation team members are still here 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. The current health order from Dr. Henry expires on May 30, and we will need to wait for cues and direction from BC Health before publishing plans to reopen facilities and offer programs with new guidelines. We continue to take registrations online and over the phone for summer camps and some other programs set to start in June may be pushed into July and August. While all program start dates and details will be reviewed at the end of May and are subject to change, the department is prepared to issue credits to account or full refunds for future registered programs and services that need to be cancelled or postponed due to pandemic exposure control measures. 

Our website https://www.oliverrecreation.ca and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OliverParksandRecreation/ will be updated regularly with any additional actions we are implementing to keep you safe, as well as any changes to our programming and facility schedules. 

Once again, Oliver Parks and Recreation extends our gratitude to all of the front line workers in health care, the food sector, emergency services and those supporting our most vulnerable populations during this unprecedented time. Thank you to the Oliver and Area C community for following the recommendations of our national and provincial authorities to do your part to prevent the spread of the virus.