Some of Greater Victoria鈥檚 outdoor recreation facilities will reopen Thursday, May 14, as COVID-19 restrictions ease.
The City of Victoria will allow access to tennis and pickleball courts, sports fields, and skate and bike parks as part of a phased plan. Physical-distancing guidelines apply, though, and there will be no lessons or league play. 鈥淐lose-contact鈥� facilities 鈥� the Crystal Pool, basketball courts, outdoor gyms, playgrounds 鈥� will stay closed for now.
The Capital Regional District will reopen outdoor facilities in four communities Thursday, including the basketball court at Sidney鈥檚 Greenglades Community Centre, the tennis and basketball courts at the Panorama rec centre in North Saanich, the bike and skate parks in Sooke and the tennis courts, bike and skate parks and multi-sport court on Salt Spring Island. Sooke鈥檚 DeMamiel Creek golf course is open. Ballfields and playgrounds are closed.
Restrictions will ease at the West Shore Parks and Recreation鈥檚 Juan de Fuca complex after the long weekend, when access to the outdoor lacrosse box, picnic area, basketball court will resume. Playing fields will be open to small groups starting next week.
Tennis and pickleball courts opened May 9, while Juan de Fuca鈥檚 par-three golf course opened May 6. Oak Bay鈥檚 Henderson par-three course opened Monday.
Oak Bay hopes to have its tennis courts ready by mid- to late next week, and is working on opening basketball courts and its skateboard park in the same time frame.
Outdoor rec facilities in Saanich are under review and will remain closed through the weekend. The status quo remains in Esquimalt, too.
Up-Island, Nanaimo will reopen tennis and pickleball courts Thursday, though for singles play only unless the participants are from the same household. Off-leash dog parks will be ungated. The Steve Smith Bike Park and the pump track at Began Park also open today.
