Three months have passed since we suspended our regular sport, physical activity, and healthy living programming in our commitment to help flatten the curve to reduce the impacts of COVID-19 on our communities. We all recognize the toll this pandemic response has taken on program participants, their families, and communities and the important role physical activity plays in our collective wellness. And so, we are thrilled that sport is gradually returning to BC in accordance with the phases outlined in BC’s Restart Plan.
As outlined in BC’s Restart Plan, sport activities can resume in a limited way. For the foreseeable future, sport and physical activity will focus on community participation and training rather than games and provincial competition. Prior to restarting, provincial sport organizations must develop their own Return to Sport plans utilizing viaSport’s recently published Return to Sport Guidelines.
I·SPARC is in the process of developing a Return to Activity plan, which aligns with viaSport’s guidelines and adheres to the Provincial Health Officer’s orders and recommendations. We appreciate that each community and organization that we partner with will have their own unique guidelines for the safety of their members and venues for which they are responsible. I·SPARC’s plan will take a multi-sport and physical activity approach that respects the guidelines established by individual First Nations, Métis Chartered Communities, and Friendship Centres.
Additionally, last week the BC Provincial Government announced their ministerial order protecting amateur sport organizations, their employees, and volunteers from COVID-19 liabilities.
I·SPARC’s Return to Activity plan will be communicated via newsletter and circulated through social media channels. We will also have a dedicated Return to Activity page on our website where we will include our plan and updates going forward.
We appreciate your patience during this process. We will circulate information as soon as it’s available. In the meantime, please visit our website www.isparc.ca and follow us on social media to find out about our current list of online programs designed to help keep you healthy and active from home.
Thank you,
Rick Brant
Executive Director