YMCA centres in Kelowna closed

The YMCA closed its Okanagan locations late Monday in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization announced.

The Y temporarily closed its three Kelowna fitness and aquatic centres as of 8 p.m. Monday.

“With the global crisis surrounding COVID-19 and the threat locally, we must ensure the health and safety of our staff and community members,” YMCA of Okanagan CEO Sharon Peterson said. “We are not making this decision lightly as it directly affects over 17,000 members and program participants, plus our many staff and volunteers. As a ‘people first’ organization, we will be supporting our teams through this difficult period.”

Facilities affected include Kelowna Family Y in Rutland, Downtown YMCA and the H2O centre on Gordon Drive, which will be closed until further notice.

Unless otherwise directed by the Ministry of Health, the YMCA of Okanagan plans to continue essential services, including licensed child care and camps, to ensure those who need to work are provided safe, quality care for their children.

“Enhanced preventative measures in our spring break camps and licensed child-care programs have been put in place in order to reduce the risk of transmission of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19,” Peterson said in a news release.

Woman punched while walking dog

Police in Kelowna are hoping a couple of people who helped a woman after she was assaulted near the Delta Grand hotel on Sunday can give them some information.

A 49-year-old woman walking her dog between the hotel and the Playtime Casino about 3 p.m. said she was punched twice by an unknown Caucasian man in his 30s.

She didn’t report the incident for a couple of hours, but did tell police two people on the scene helped her out.

Police would like to get more information from the pair and from anyone else who may have seen what happened.

Call RCMP at 250-762-3300 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Arson suspected in Kelowna blaze

A small fire at a construction building on Cawston Avenue is considered suspicious, the Kelowna Fire Department says.

Flames on the outside of the building were knocked down quickly by firefighters early Saturday morning and there was no damage to the inside of the building.