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Pickleball and tennis courts re-opening in and around Nanaimo

Racquet sport courts, off-leash dog parks, Steve Smith Bike Park re-opening Thursday, May 14
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Michelle Guidone re-loads a pickleball pitching machine at the Beban Park tennis courts in March. Tennis and pickleball courts throughout the region are re-opening Thursday, May 14. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Sporting opportunities are being served up again after weeks of physical distancing.

The City of Nanaimo and Regional District of Nanaimo announced Wednesday that select outdoor recreation amenities will re-open Thursday, May 14.

In Nanaimo, tennis and pickleball courts will re-open, as well as gated off-leash dog parks and the Steve Smith Bike Park. Throughout the RDN, sports courts will re-open May 14 and the Cedar Skate Park will re-open May 21. In both the city and regional district, tennis and pickleball courts are open to singles play only, except when doubles teams are made up of partners from the same household.

The city and regional district both shared additional guidelines, reminding residents to adhere to physical distancing, wash hands before and after visiting the park and avoiding sharing equipment, water bottles and other items.

Art Groot, city director of facility and parks operations, said in a press release that the city is pleased to be able to re-open several outdoor amenities.

“Because of the community’s commitment to following the physical distancing measures outlined by the provincial health officer, we are now able to begin Phase 1 of our re-opening plan,” he said. “We want to encourage the citizens of Nanaimo to follow the posted guidelines at each facility so that these areas remain open and that other amenities, in time, can also re-open.”

Nanaimo’s municipal playgrounds will remain closed until further notice. The city will consult with the B.C. Recreation and Parks Association and B.C. Ministry of Health for re-opening guidelines.

“No date at this point to re-open playgrounds until guidelines [are] developed and approved,” said Richard Harding, city general manager of parks, recreation and culture, in an e-mail.

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