Sports, leisure groups in a 'hurry' to get back at it as COVID-19 restrictions start to lift
People can reconnect in the water, on the ice and in virtual worlds
Those who run sports and leisure activities in Waterloo region are looking forward to the lifting of the latest public health restrictions in Ontario.
Since the start of the pandemic, various public health restrictions have limited participation in recreational clubs, like synchronized swimming and skating, and have affected the public appetite for recreation sports, like curling. Meanwhile, leisure activities, including virtual reality entertainment spaces, have also struggled.
At the Waterloo Region Artistic Swimming Club, swimmers have largely been on dry land, as members focused on a virtual strength training and conditioning.
Leanne McDonnell, president and founder of the club, said it wasn't ideal.
"You can't learn to swim on land," said McDonnell. "You know, it's very hard for a coach to keep kids motivated when it's online, and we don't have the team camaraderie and the support of each other."
When in the pool, synchronized swimmers had to stay two metres apart and virtual competitions replaced indoor ones.
"Routines were filmed and submitted to be judged virtually," said vice-president Erika Lindner.
Hurry hard, wear a mask
As restrictions lift, the Guelph Curling Club will be open to regular league play and people interested in trying out the game.
"The [teams] really miss obviously the social aspect. A lot of friendships are built within the clubs," said Kathy Brown, general manager of the Guelph Curling Club.
She said the Guelph Curling Club is a larger venue with a lounge area and eight sheets of ice, so it can accommodate a good number of curlers. Everyone is required to wear a mask, says Brown, especially if there are two sweepers gliding down the ice at the same time.
Brown expects the club to get busier in late winter and early spring as people get more drawn into the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Thunder Bay, Ont., the Brier in Lethbridge, Alta., and the Winter Olympics in Beijing.
Skating times to be extended
The Galt Arena marked its 100th anniversary on Jan. 20. But because rinks were included in the COVID-19 closures, the City of Cambridge has decided to celebrate the event all year.
The restrictions affected practices for Cambridge hockey teams, figure-skating clubs as well as public skates, but Chris Zeimski, manager of parks and arena operations, said the city will make up for lost indoor ice time at all arenas.
"Our programs have been adjusted in terms of public skates to try and offer more of them, obviously, as capacities are limited at times in the facilities. So we've offered more public skates to give people more opportunity for some recreation," said Ziemski.
"Of course, in the interim, while the facilities were closed — outdoor rinks — Mother Nature was very, very helpful this year."
The City of Cambridge is asking people to pre-register for public skates and is discouraging drop-ins because capacity limits will be in place along with other public health protocols.
Reconnecting to a virtual world
Waterloo virtual arcade company Ctrl V offers some escapism from the real world with 200 games and experiences like swimming with the whales.
The company is based in Waterloo, but has franchises in Guelph, Hamilton and Lyndsay.
Robert Bruski, chief executive officer of Ctrl V, said they've had a strict cleaning regime since before the pandemic, saying the company was "sanitizing before it was even cool."
Bruski said it it's been a difficult two years for his niche operation, but like all businesses, he's happy to reopen locations.
"I think it's important for everyone to remember, to be kind, to be compassionate. And from a business owner standpoint, also remember to support the business wherever you can."