Editor:
As a recently retired SCRD pool and arena facility operator, I find the idea of opening the Gibsons pool and the Sechelt arena both practically and financially irresponsible, especially during the pandemic.
Gibsons pool is preparing to open at a cost of $22,000. Plans are in place to install ice in the Sechelt arena in January. We now have one arena operating in Gibsons and one pool operating in Sechelt. The Gibsons arena and the Sechelt Aquatic Centre are the two most modern facilities with the greatest opportunity for social distancing. ViaSport BC, which regulates all sporting activities in the province, has suspended all adult indoor/outdoor team sports. Any activity regardless of age must now maintain a three-metre distance.
The Gibsons arena is now open to a small group of minor hockey players. These children can only participate in a scrimmage (no games) and must follow the three-metre rule. The other day minor hockey had three 1.25-hour time slots booked with only eight players allowed on the ice per session. All adult hockey is cancelled. I am not familiar with the children’s figure skating program. This is very limited use to justify two ice facilities. April 1 is in three months; why open the arena for three months? Activities tend to move outdoors in the spring.
The Town of Gibsons recently gathered a list of 100 petitioners demanding the opening of the Gibsons pool. Aquafit may or may not be possible in Gibsons. Sechelt Aquatic Centre allows two people at one time in their much larger hot tub. Gibsons’ new, much smaller hot tub should only accommodate one person at a time. Sechelt Aquatic Centre is understaffed. Training new staff is not practical at this time.
Taxes? We need to reduce taxation. Save our money. COVID tax and carbon tax are next.
Let us ask Dr. Bonnie Henry: We now have two underused facilities, should we open two more facilities for people to gather?
Stay positive, test negative.
Barry Kaufman, Sechelt
