Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Nanaimo announces reopening dates for recreation centres and Aquatic Centre

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The City of Nanaimo has announced it will be reopening three recreation centres and the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre in a phased plan starting in August.

City-owned venues, community centres, pools, and arenas closed on March 16 due to COVID-19.

Plans for reopening the rec centres follow an earlier move by Council on July 13 to reopen arenas and include safety protocols in line with provincial guidelines.

“After being closed for over six months, we are happy to be opening up our community centres and Nanaimo Aquatic Centre,” said Lynn Wark, Director of Recreation and Culture Services. 

The dates for reopening are:

  • Beban Social Centre – August 4 for facility rentals, September 9 for fall recreation programs
  • Oliver Woods Community Centre – September 9 for rentals and recreation programs
  • Bowen Complex – September 9 for rentals and recreation programs
  • Nanaimo Aquatic Centre – September 10 for both the pool and fitness gym

The City says the Aquatic Centre was selected for this phase of reopening due to its size and accessibility, which will allow for more visitors to attend while maintaining physical distancing.

“Even though the doors are opening, the way these facilities and programs are operating will be very different than what we’re used to in an effort to keep everyone safe and healthy,” said Wark.

Programming and rentals at the centres will be reduced and facilities will be operating on modified schedules.

Parks, Recreation and Culture will not be producing a Fall and Winter Activity Guide. Information on program offerings will be posted to the City of Nanaimo Facebook page and on the City of Nanaimo website.

The City said in a release that the reopening balances the needs of community members for activities that support social, physical and mental health while maintaining COVID-19 safety.

A reopening date for Beban Pool has not been determined at this time.

People interested in programming at the rec centres and Aquatic Centre must pre-register and pay in advance for sessions online through the City of Nanaimo website, at: https://www.nanaimo.ca/recreation-parks/register-for-a-program.

Tim Ford
Tim Ford
Digital staff writer with Victoria Buzz

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