Reduced track hours frustrates distance runner

As a distance runner who competes in ultra-marathons, John Beebe was looking forward to running on the rubberized track this summer at Masich Place Stadium when it finally reopens in July.That’s not going to happen. This summer, the city-owned and operated facility will only be open to the public from 6 a.m.-1 p.m. on weekdays, which totally conflicts with Beebe’s work schedule.

He says the city failed to learn its lesson from last year when a plan to staff Masich only in the morning hours on weekdays prompted a public outcry. After a fitness coach launched a petition complaining about limited access, the city rethought its plan and agreed to extend the opening hours into the evening. Now, Beebe says the same problem exists.

“City manager (Kathleen Soltis) is pulling it again,” said Beebe. “She says it is an elite facility that nobody’s allowed to use and should now only be available to a select few user groups.”

Last Thursday, Beebe emailed Mayor Lyn Hall asking why the city is not staffing Masich during the afternoon and evening hours, pointing out that city planners last fall had already budgeted for a second shift. In the letter, Beebe expressed concerns that some of the athletes training for the B.C. Summer Games will lose a full year’s training due to the reduced schedule at the stadium.

Construction is continuing at Masich to upgrade change rooms, lighting, concession facilities and improve accessibility to prepare the stadium for the 2022 B.C. Summer Games and it won’t reopen until those projects are complete and the required COVID-19 safety protocols are in place.

“The reduction in hours of availability at Masich Place Stadium this year are strictly due to staff reductions due to COVID-19,” said Mike Kellett, the city’s senior communications officer. “These are not meant to be the permanent hours of the facility - just for this year.”