While not at pre-pandemic practices, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) and District of Sechelt are bringing walk-in access to recreation facilities and in-person local government meetings back over the coming weeks. The Town of Gibsons is in the process of considering its next steps in its reopening plans.
The need to pre-register to use the Pender Harbour Aquatic Centre was dropped on July 19. Limits on capacity and restrictions on movement around that facility have also been lifted. Those same rule relaxations will come into effect for Sechelt Aquatic Centre on July 26 and for the pool in Gibsons on Aug. 3.
The SCRD has reopened its Field Road boardroom for in-person attendance by the public for committee and board meetings. Participation of staff and elected officials in these meetings will continue to be a mix of virtual and in-person. Members of the public who attend will be able to watch the meetings in progress and can also ask questions from the boardroom. The option for the public to watch and participate in the meetings online will continue.
The District of Sechelt is looking to reinstate public attendance at its business meetings starting August or September. At its July 21 council meeting, it also considered a reopening plan policy that will allow non-essential employees to work from home up to three days per week and from the central district office on Cowrie Street for two. Those individuals hold jobs they can work from home without impacting operational service levels to the public or for the district. An additional requirement is that employees must be able to maintain their productivity when working remotely.
Local governments have also reinstated rental of community facilities for public events. Use of these facilities for private events is subject to the province’s most current public health order. That order restricts the number of attendees at private indoor gatherings to 50 people or 50 per cent of the venue capacity excluding event staff, whichever is larger. There are also a number of other provincial protocols in effect.
In an email to Coast Reporter, District of Sechelt staffer Kerianne Poulsen said: “All of our facilities are equipped with security monitoring cameras, which can be viewed via our staff smart phones. Staff monitor events regularly to ensure maximum capacities are not exceeded. It should be noted that capacity limitations for outdoor gatherings are much less restrictive than for indoors.
“In terms of availability, our facilities coordinator says bookings are not back to pre-COVID numbers, but they are going fast. We are currently averaging about 19 bookings per week,” Poulsen wrote.
While many COVID-19 restrictions are being lifted, all Coast local governments remind patrons to not attend a public facility if they or a member of their family are sick. Wearing of masks continues to be recommended in SCRD facilities for everyone 12 years and older who is not yet fully vaccinated.
In a July 15 press release, Dean McKinley, chief administrative officer of the SCRD, said: “Everyone is taking the easing of restrictions at their own pace and I ask that anyone entering our facilities is mindful of the need to be patient with our staff and with each other.”
