The province’s BC Restart Plan includes a roadmap for safe resumption of a number of programs and services over time. The District of Saanich will support the provincial effort of safely getting back to a more normal life as we gradually restart in a safe and steady way.

The provincial health officer announced that step 3 of the re-opening plan comes into effect July 1. Over the next few days, staff will be working with the PHO and other partners for clarification and guidelines to assist with the transition to step 3. This means that you will see:

• updated mask use guidelines for public and patrons in recreation centres aligned to current PHO Guidelines.

• as per the PHO guidance that masks are strongly recommended when indoors, the District of Saanich strongly recommends wearing masks when in any Saanich facilities.  However, masks are not required for children under 12 years of age.

• increased capacities in all program and service areas

• changes to informational and directional signage indoors

• phasing back to some drop-in attendance in Recreation Centre weight rooms.

Residents will see an expansion in Parks, Recreation and Community Services programs and activities as capacity and protocols allows for those programs and services to be safely offered. This will include increased numbers of people at outdoor gatherings and sporting events in parks for activities run by PRCS and sport and community groups. More information will be shared as implementation plans are finalized and approved.

District staff have been busy ensuring safety protocols are up to date and that staff are prepared to safely welcome back increasing levels of activity, both indoors and out. Parks staff will continue to work with sport and community groups to transition to Step 3 outdoors in parks spaces. The District of Saanich continues to strongly recommend mask use indoors as per PHO direction.

Step 4 is expected to further increase the amount of activities and social interactions for BC residents. You can expect a phased approach to service resumption in Saanich as more information becomes available. The District must ensure all programs and services resume safely, adhere to provincial guidelines and incorporate industry information from BC Recreation and Parks Association and viaSport. 

Parks, Recreation and Community Services staff appreciate your patience as they work to ensure that programs and services are safe and adhere to provincial guidelines. 

Please watch the District’s website and social media accounts for updates as programs and services gradually resume. For more detailed information on available programs and services, please visit, saanich.ca/recreation and saanich.ca/parks.