Nanaimo reopens sports fields, courts and water parks

Nanaimo is reopening its sports fields and courts with new safety rules and has turned on the taps for its water parks.

Competitive games between teams, such as leagues, are not allowed in fields and courts.

“But if a family wants to go and have a game or those living in the same household, they can,” Art Groot, director of Nanaimo’s facilities and parks, said Friday.

Drills, and skills and modified training are permitted.

Nanaimo worked with sporting organizations, B.C.’s provincial health officer and Island Health prior to announcing the fields and courts are opening again, the city said in a statement.

Patrons will see posted signs at venues outlining health and safety protocols. Guidelines include staying at least two metres apart from anyone not from your household, not sharing equipment and not congregating in groups of 50 or more.

City crews started reopening fields and courts on Thursday, aiming to have them all open by Monday.

Artificial turf fields, along with gated basketball courts at Departure Bay Centennial Park, Beaufort Park and Linley Point Gyro Park will be opened first.

Volleyball and basketball courts are also included in this round of reopenings. The basketball court at Maffeo Sutton Park is closed due to construction in the area and will reopen shortly.

Any formal use of a field must be approved. To book a field or court, call 250-755-7517.

City water parks in Harewood Centennial Park, Deverill Square

Park, Departure Bay Kiwanis Park and Mansfield Park are also now open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

As with other recreational facilities, health guidelines will be posted.

The water used at water parks is fresh and not recycled, the city said. Although parks are maintained on a regular schedule, the spray park equipment is not being cleaned or disinfected on a daily basis.

The city is reopening its facilities gradually after shutting them down on March 16 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It has reopened playgrounds, pickle ball and tennis courts, offleash dog parks, and bike parks.

Indoor recreation facilities, such as pools, arenas and cityowned cultural venues, remain closed.