VANCOUVER – From hockey to soccer to curling and even bowling, almost all adult sports have been shut down in BC
“Many of these adult team sports are as social gatherings as sports,” said provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, on Thursday. “After a game, which was the (most common) broadcast source, you go for a coffee or a beer. But sometimes it’s very difficult because a lot of it is built into the culture of many adult team sports. “
Henry says children’s sports don’t have the same history of COVID-19 transmission, so they are allowed to continue, but players can only train with their teams. There are no games and no travel between jurisdictions.
“We hope that we can keep these opportunities safe for young people without the riskier parts of their gambling and travel activities,” said Henry.
The Adult Safe Hockey League is one of the largest organizations affected by the adult sport shutdown. The 400 teams play at three Canlan Ice Sports facilities in Burnaby, Langley and North Vancouver and resumed play last week.
“It’s frustrating for our hockey players who come to play and need a point of sale,” said Mike Gellard, executive vice president of Canlan Ice Sports.
He said Canlan’s facilities went out of their way to ensure the safety of players and staff, including plexiglass partitions on the bench and strict deadlines in dressing rooms. However, he recognizes that pre- and post-game gatherings can be a problem.
“It’s not the one on hold where the risk is,” said Gellard. “Most of an adult hockey game consisted of having a beer in a room after the game. Well, of course that doesn’t happen anymore. We really can’t control where they go after the game. “
Scottsdale Lanes owner is disappointed that bowling is included in the adult sports ban. Families can still stop by to play with members of their budget bubble, but adult league games have been suspended.
“Our leagues are utterly our bread and butter,” said Ken Clarke. “If we don’t have leagues, it’s questionable whether it’s even worth being open. I would say 80 percent of our sales are income from the league. “
Children’s bowling leagues can continue, and children can keep practicing with their sports teams. Dance studios were also allowed to reopen, but again only for children’s programs.
With all adult hockey programs now canceled, Canlan Ice Sports facilities are nearly empty during what is usually a busy time of year.
“We’ll have a lot of open ice. So if you want to buy some ice cream, give us a call,” said Gellard.
When could the adult teams return?
“The only way we can reopen is when the COVID numbers get better and the vaccine is distributed,” he said. “I think we’ll be there a little longer.”
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