Starting Friday, May 15, Central Saanich will re-open sports courts, including tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts, as part of a phased return to outdoor recreation facilities. Signage will be posted at each facility reminding users to observe health and safety precautions and follow best practices for physical distancing. These measures will help to ensure a safe outdoor recreation space for all. Users are expected to continue to adhere to public health guidelines of maintaining two metres of physical distance, no sharing of equipment, practicing good hand hygiene, and staying home if sick.
“We want to see residents having fun and being active, but also taking safety precautions,” says Mayor Ryan Windsor. “Physical and mental health are incredibly important, and getting exercise outdoors is so key to that.”
The tennis courts at Centennial and Saanichton Green (behind Thrifty Foods) will be available on a first-come, first serve basis, and users are asked to limited their play to 30 minutes when others are waiting. Starting in June, residents will be able to book time on the courts through Central Saanich’s website.
Sports fields have already been reopened to those who are following provincial health orders and using practicing physical distancing. Residents and visitors are reminded dogs are not allowed at any time on the sports fields.
Central Saanich is continuing to monitor the local health situation and provincial advice around children’s playgrounds and does not anticipate opening them in the near future.
Centennial Park users can wash their hands in the Centennial washroom, which are open seven days a week and being cleaned throughout the day.
Central Saanich has increased bylaw presence in parks and the community to remind residents provincial health orders and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Central Saanich bylaw officers can be reached through the Fire Department at 250-544-4244.
For more information
The District is continuously monitoring information about COVID-19 coming from public health authorities, and makes decisions about services and facilities with the health and safety of its residents in mind. Visit centralsaanich.ca/covid19 to stay up-to-date on services and resources.