Nanaimo is phasing in reopening of recreation centres and its aquatic centre as it adopts new protocols to protect against COVID-19.
City council voted Monday in favour of a partial reopening of some centres, which shut their doors on March 16 due to the pandemic.
Lynn Wark, Nanaimo’s director of recreation and culture services, said though the doors are opening, facilities and programs will operate in a different way “than what we’re used to in an effort to keep everyone safe and healthy.”
• Beban Social Centre will open on Aug. 4 for facility rentals and on Sept. 9 for fall recreation programs.
• Oliver Woods Community Centre will open on Sept. 9 for rentals and recreation programs.
• Bowen Complex will open on Sept. 9 for rentals and recreation programs.
• Nanaimo Aquatic Centre will open Sept. 10 for both the pool and the fitness gym.
The aquatic centre was chosen to reopen because of its larger size and because it is an accessible venue, the city said in a statement. “This allows for more participants in the building while still practicing physical distancing guidelines.”
No date has been set to reopen the Beban pool.
The fall and winter activity guide will not be published this year by the city because of continuing uncertainty around the pandemic. Information on upcoming programs will be posted on the city’s website and Facebook page.
Everyone will have to register and pay in advance for all recreation sessions via the city’s online booking system at cnan.ca/2DU0LXS.
More information on session registration will be announced in the future.
