Vancouver Park Board recreation and sport activities impacted by new Public Health Orders

THE Vancouver Park Board is temporarily suspending some recreation and sport activities at its public facilities in response to the Public Health Orders issued by the Provincial Health Officer on Saturday. Beginning Sunday (November 8), the following programs and services will be suspended until Monday, November 23 at noon:  

* Indoor group fitness activities where physical distancing cannot be maintained and where people are increasing their heart rate are suspended for two weeks.

o    A selection of the Park Board’s group fitness programs that will be temporarily suspended include: strength and sculpting, zumba, rhythmic gymnastics, total body conditioning, yoga, dance, dance aerobics, ballet, hip hop, martial arts and aquafit, among others.

o   Individual indoor physical activities can continue following the approved safety protocols currently in place, including one-on-one personal training in fitness centres, public swimming, and skating.

* Indoor group sports where physical distancing cannot be maintained are suspended for two weeks and the following restrictions are in effect:

o   No indoor competition or games are allowed but can be replaced with physically distanced, individual exercise, practice, and drills.

o   A selection of the Park Board’s sports programs that will be temporarily suspended include: hockey, volleyball, basketball, water polo, ringette, indoor soccer, badminton, pickle ball, table tennis, and games rooms, among others.

o   No spectators are permitted.

o   Travel for sport into or out of the Vancouver Coastal Health region is suspended.

o   Indoor individual sports where physical distancing can be maintained can continue following ViaSport Phase 2 protocols (e.g. swim clubs, figure skating).

Outdoor sport permit holders are not impacted by the new orders except for the following: spectators can no longer attend outdoor sport activities. All permit holders are expected to comply with this updated rule and are to communicate this update to their staff and members who can enforce it on site.

Community centres remain open to the public and patrons are reminded that wearing a mask inside public spaces is the expectation of Public Health and the Park Board.

Full details of the Orders are available on the BC Government website.