recreation

Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre will reopen Feb. 1 after a nearly 10-month closure to curb the spread of COVID-19. (Black Press Media file photo)

Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre gears up for safe reopening in Victoria

Recreation facility opens Feb. 1 with reservation system to prevent crowding

  • Jan 22, 2021

 

The Juan de Fuca pool opens up again Jan. 20, after being closed since last March due to ongoing public health restrictions due to the pandemic. (West Shore Parks and Recreation)

Juan de Fuca pool to reopen in Colwood after 10-month shutdown for COVID

West Shore Parks and Recreation using federal/provincial restart funding to reopen facility

 

As of Nov. 24, all group fitness classes at Saanich recreation centres have been cancelled and a mask mandate has been implemented amid new COVID-19 public health orders. (Black Press Media file photo)

Swimming, skating continue at Saanich recreation, exercise groups cancelled

New mask mandate implemented for all common spaces

 

Saanich implements increased rates starting Sept. 8 but will reinstate the 25-times pass while COVID-19 restrictions are in place. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich recreation centres implement annual fee increase, bring back 25-times pass

COVID-19 safety protocols in place at all facilities

Saanich implements increased rates starting Sept. 8 but will reinstate the 25-times pass while COVID-19 restrictions are in place. (Black Press Media file photo)
Port Renfrew taxpayers will no longer contribute funds towards SEAPARC. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Port Renfrew cuts cord from SEAPARC funding

Funds will be reallocated through Sooke and Juan de Fuca

  • Jul 20, 2020
Port Renfrew taxpayers will no longer contribute funds towards SEAPARC. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Aquafit classes will resume at the Gordon Head Recreation Centre on July 20. (Black Press Media file photo).

Water fitness classes resume at Saanich recreation centre

New safety protocols in place to prevent spreading COVID-19

Aquafit classes will resume at the Gordon Head Recreation Centre on July 20. (Black Press Media file photo).
The Vancouver Island YMCA-YWCA is looking at reopening its downtown Victoria and Westhills facilities on July 16 with new COVID-19 protocols and a new membership structure to help make up for lost revenue. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria’s YMCA-YWCA reopening with new app, membership structure

One fee of $50 set to start July 16

The Vancouver Island YMCA-YWCA is looking at reopening its downtown Victoria and Westhills facilities on July 16 with new COVID-19 protocols and a new membership structure to help make up for lost revenue. (Black Press Media file photo)
This screenshot taken from a video shot by surf instructor Shannon Brown shows a watercraft operator in the surf zone off Chesterman Beach. Since being shared on social media, the video has sparked concerns over water safety. (Image from video by Shannon Brown)

Tofino beachgoers ‘horrified’ by Sea-Doos, Jet Skis, in surf zone

“I was quite distressed to see it.”

This screenshot taken from a video shot by surf instructor Shannon Brown shows a watercraft operator in the surf zone off Chesterman Beach. Since being shared on social media, the video has sparked concerns over water safety. (Image from video by Shannon Brown)
Saanich weight rooms will look different when patrons return as safety precautions are being taken. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich modifies recreation centre weight rooms to reduce COVID-19 risks

Fitness centres expected to reopen before September with extra spacing, rink board buffers

Saanich weight rooms will look different when patrons return as safety precautions are being taken. (Black Press Media file photo)
Michael Norgaard, 15, practices his dive at the Saanich Commonwealth Place pool. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich cancels recreation centre membership passes due to COVID-19

Pass-holders to receive account credit or refund, facilities remain closed

Michael Norgaard, 15, practices his dive at the Saanich Commonwealth Place pool. (Black Press Media file photo)
Wade Gamble, general manager of Jakes at the Lake in Lake Cowichan, prepares his tube for a ride on the Cowichan River now that the Town of Lake Cowichan has lifted the tubing ban this summer. Gamble said his restaurant, as well as many other local businesses, will benefit from the lifting of the ban. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Summer tubing ban on Cowichan River lifted

The Tube Shack opening on June 27

Wade Gamble, general manager of Jakes at the Lake in Lake Cowichan, prepares his tube for a ride on the Cowichan River now that the Town of Lake Cowichan has lifted the tubing ban this summer. Gamble said his restaurant, as well as many other local businesses, will benefit from the lifting of the ban. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
City of Victoria outdoor recreation facilities will reopen to the public May 14. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

Recreation facilities begin to reopen across Greater Victoria

Physical distancing, health and safety protocols still in place

City of Victoria outdoor recreation facilities will reopen to the public May 14. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
The Tube Shack owner Aaron Frisby. (Malcolm Chalmers photo)

Town of Lake Cowichan bans tubing on Cowichan River this summer

“We have to do it, unless something changes”

The Tube Shack owner Aaron Frisby. (Malcolm Chalmers photo)
BC Parks has fully closed Goldstream Provincial Park, as well as other parks, due to the COVID-19 response. (Black Press Media file photo)

COVID-19: A roundup of park and recreation closures across Greater Victoria

Parks, recreation facilities, campgrounds close in light of COVID-19

BC Parks has fully closed Goldstream Provincial Park, as well as other parks, due to the COVID-19 response. (Black Press Media file photo)
A rise of misconduct at the Nelson and District Community Complex has put a stress on staff and patrons. Photo: Tyler Harper

10 people banned in two weeks from B.C. rec centre for drugs, squatting

Suspensions were for setting up sleeping bags in washrooms, theft, verbal abuse of staff, and more

A rise of misconduct at the Nelson and District Community Complex has put a stress on staff and patrons. Photo: Tyler Harper
Commonwealth Place was shut down before 11 a.m. on Thursday following a power outage. (Saanich Parks, Recreation and Community Services/Twitter)

UPDATED: Saanich recreation centre reopens following power failure

Outage cause remains unclear

Commonwealth Place was shut down before 11 a.m. on Thursday following a power outage. (Saanich Parks, Recreation and Community Services/Twitter)
Saanich facilities are operating on holiday schedules from Tuesday, Dec. 24. (Black Press File Photo)

Holiday schedules to take effect at Saanich facilities

Closures and changes in open hours Dec. 24 to Jan. 1

Saanich facilities are operating on holiday schedules from Tuesday, Dec. 24. (Black Press File Photo)
Victoria city council voted to minimize its admission rate increases. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

Victoria votes to keep recreational admission fee increase to a minimum

In January 2020 fees will go up by two per cent, rentals up 4.7 per cent

Victoria city council voted to minimize its admission rate increases. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)
Parks and recreation fees, like those for using Crystal Pool, are set to increase. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria recreation fees set to rise nearly five per cent

Fee increase needed for wages, aging infrastructure costs says staff report

Parks and recreation fees, like those for using Crystal Pool, are set to increase. (Black Press Media file photo)
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps, left, shakes hands with Christine Gleed, the chair of the board of the YMCA/YWCA Vancouver Island, upon signing a memorandum of understanding that formalizes the organizations’ joint commitment to planning services and programs. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS

City of Victoria lays groundwork for relationship with YMCA-YWCA

Goal is to expand services as both embark on building new facilities

Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps, left, shakes hands with Christine Gleed, the chair of the board of the YMCA/YWCA Vancouver Island, upon signing a memorandum of understanding that formalizes the organizations’ joint commitment to planning services and programs. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS