Tofino’s recreation programming has relaunched after a temporary hiatus brought on by provincial regulations around COVID-19 protocols.
“We’re trying to get ourselves up and opened for some limited recreational opportunities, specifically for youth and children,” the district’s manager of community sustainability Aaron Rodgers told the Westerly News. “It’s a pretty limited offering, but it’s the best we can do with the provincial health orders.”
The district shut down most of its recreation programming on Nov. 24 after being advised the provincial government would be releasing revised guidelines around recreational activities.
Due to the new Provincial Health Orders regarding fitness and recreation centres, recreations programs at the community...
Posted by Tofino Parks and Recreation on Tuesday, November 24, 2020
“Out of an abundance of caution, we just paused our programming until we received the information from the province about how to operate,” Rodgers said, adding new information came in from the province last week around what programs can be offered safely and guidelines around how those programs can be conducted.
He said activities kicked up again on Sunday, Dec. 6, but noted that all programming requires preregistration. Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to visit TofinoRecreation.PerfectMind.com.
“Recreation is important to help the community stay healthy, active and engaged. Because of COVID-19 now, a lot of people are stuck at home or have limited social contact, recreation programming allows people to get together, play together and learn new skills together,” he said. “I think it’s especially important for our youth as well as our seniors who also have been significantly affected by the pandemic and isolation. Recreation is there to support a lot of things, mental health being one for sure.”
He added programming is also being developed around the temporary synthetic ice rink Tofino has installed next to the district office for the month of December.
andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
READ MORE: Tofino aims to combat winter doldrums with temporary ice rink
READ MORE: Outdoor and indoor adult team sports banned as B.C. battles surge in COVID cases
READ MORE: Mount Washington opens on time, COVID-19 protocols in place