Image Credit: Jennifer Stahn
May 26, 2021 - 8:30 PM
B.C.’s top doctor has given the green light for adult sports leagues in the province to resume and Kelowna’s risk manager says they could return as early as this weekend.
Lance Kayfish, risk manager with the city, said Kelowna has been maintaining sports fields preparing for the return of sports leagues.
With the May 25 announcement of B.C.’s Restart plan, outdoor sport for all ages can resume, including practices and games, according to ViaSport’s website, the province’s governing arm for sports. Detailed information for sports with revised guidelines are coming soon.
READ MORE: Indoor dining and games for outdoor sports teams among things to restart in B.C. today
“Phones have been ringing off the hook and we’re working with all the local sport organizations to accommodate their needs and get people out playing safely,” Kayfish said.
Sport organizations could see play as early as this weekend or next week, as many organizations will already have return-to-play plans created from last year.
It will likely look similar to last fall, Kayfish said.
Jamie Taverner, managing partner with Urban Rec, a private sports organization, was surprised by the news yesterday that adult sports games were given the OK by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, but it’ll likely take her more time to determine all the details.
“It’s not about the province approving us… ViaSport has said you’re good to go, but make sure you follow local and provincial sport organization guidelines but no one knew it was coming so no one had any,” she said.
Her return-to-sport plans will be tweaked to each location in the city and will need to be approved based on venue owners following B.C. sport organization guidelines like through B.C. Soccer and Volleyball B.C.
“I feel like by Friday, I should know all the guidelines,” she said, adding that there’s still some prep work to be done at the fields.
She’s aiming to start June 7 for Slo Pitch. “I would love to see everything start by the week of June 7 and June 15. By the week of June 15, I see everything going (ahead),” she said.
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