City of Nanaimo recreation facilities including the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre will be closing at 6 p.m. Monday, March 16, as a COVID-19 precaution. (News Bulletin file photo)

City of Nanaimo recreation facilities including the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre will be closing at 6 p.m. Monday, March 16, as a COVID-19 precaution. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo’s rec centres, pools, arenas closing

City says measure in response to provincial health officer's directive

  • Mar. 16, 2020 12:00 a.m.

The City of Nanaimo is responding to a new directive by the provincial health officer and closing many of its public facilities.

The municipality announced Monday afternoon that as of 6 p.m. today, rec centres, pools and arenas will be closing. The Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, Nanaimo Ice Centre, Beban Park social centre, Beban Pool, Frank Crane Arena, Cliff McNabb Arena, Bowen Park activity centre and Oliver Woods Community Centre are closing.

All rec programming is also cancelled.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, at a press conference Monday morning in Victoria, directed that gatherings of 50 or more people should be cancelled to limit the spread of COVID-19.

“Moving forward, the City of Nanaimo will continue taking its direction from the provincial health officer and health authorities and any measures taken by the City will be aligned with their recommendations,” said Jake Rudolph, chief administrative officer, in the release.

Last week the city announced that the Port Theatre would be closed indefinitely, in response to the direction and recommendations of the federal government and the B.C. provincial health officer.

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Nanaimo News Bulletin