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Outdoor sports are now included in Part One of the Government of Saskatchewan's Re=Opening Roadmap. (File photo/meadowlakeNOW Staff)
Outdoor Sports

Meadow Lake outdoor sports leagues kicking off at the end of the month

May 26, 2021 | 5:00 PM

Following the Government of Saskatchewan’s announcement that outdoor sports leagues would be permitted to resume with Part One of the province’s Re-Opening Roadmap, Meadow Lake’s outdoor sports are expected to begin early next week.

On May 30, Part One of the Re-Opening Roadmap will begin signifying what many hope will be the final time COVID-19 public health restrictions are eased. Indoor sports will remain in the second installment of the reopening plan.

Parks and Recreation manager Regan Beck said the announcement has many excited with the opportunity to get back out on the field in meaningful games.

“We’re very excited to see people are going to be outside using all of our facilities, enjoying all the benefits of being out with nature, playing, running and everything else that the kids are allowed to do,” Beck said. “These kids have been waiting a long time for this, and we agree with the Government of Saskatchewan that it is safe at this point.”

While the announcement comes as a huge relief to children and parents in the community, there are still some guidelines the provincial government is requiring before play resumes.

Athletes may not participate if they are sick, players and coaches are encouraged to check themselves for COVID-19 symptoms, interprovincial travel is not permitted, outdoor gatherings are capped at 150 people, people are advised to avoid contact like shaking hands and high-fiving, personal equipment and water bottles are not to be shared and commonly-touched equipment such as game balls are to be replaced or disinfected throughout the game.

Tournaments are not allowed in the first part of the province’s re-opening plan, but will be re-evaluated in Part Two.

Beck said while there are still several guidelines in place that prevent a full re-opening to pre-COVID operation, this latest development in the Re-Opening Roadmap is a big step in the right direction.

“I think the idea they’re allowing the games to happen in stage one is a very good step. The stages originally were a little bit less clear on what that meant for sport organizations as far as games, so to get that clarity, the way that we were hoping it would go, is fantastic,” Beck explained.

“Regarding the idea that they’re not open for tournaments, yet they did mention in stage two that they are looking to revisit that, and we’re looking forward with optimism. We look forward to what that’ll mean come June 20.”

elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp

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