Editor:
It is very important to my family and our community that the recreational facilities be reopened immediately in Gibsons and Sechelt. We have followed all the COVID rules respectfully and made great sacrifices to keep the COVID rates low here on the Coast. Dr. Bonnie Henry and viaSport have deemed it safe to return to sports. Our associations have put in significant energy developing policies and procedures to ensure we maintain safe return to play. Unfortunately, as the rest of the province returns to sport we are at risk of not being able to participate if the SCRD doesn’t open up the ice rinks and pools.
My son has been able to return to playing hockey off-Coast for the months of June and July safely (all COVID rules were followed without any repercussions or virus), though navigating BC Ferries has been a significant hurdle. He is going into Grade 9 in September and I cannot express how significantly this virus shutdown has affected his mental health. He needs his sports – specifically hockey – in order to keep healthy and have a clear mind for school work. All kids and adults need access to our recreation facilities. We have great teams on the Coast; please let them continue. We need ice in both rinks. We need our pools. I urge the SCRD to reopen our recreational facilities.
Erin Kellie, Gibsons
