Golf, camping and warm weather enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the end of winter and the resumption of spring and summer activities. This is true perhaps this year more than most. Although restrictions surrounding COVID-19 are having an impact on these activities, little can dampen the enthusiasm of residents keen to get the summer rolling, including those who have worked hard to get recreation spaces open and provide the best possible experience for their clientele.聽聽
Hannah Taylor is Clubhouse Manager at the Outlook Riverview Golf Course. The course opened a full month later than it did last year, per government regulations, opening initially to members only. Taylor explained, 鈥淲e chose to allow members only for this period of time to give our members added value due to the late start and to allow both members and staff to adjust to restrictions. We hope that by June 1, some amendments will be made to the restrictions on golf courses prior to public players hitting our greens.鈥澛犅犅犅犅犅犅犅犅犅犅犅犅�
Those hitting the links will notice adaptations that have been put in place for the start of the season. Club storage stalls cannot be rented out, bathrooms are limited to one person at a time while out on the course they are closed. Traffic is limited in the Clubhouse with a dedicated entrance and exit, and the seating and patio area are closed.
Out on the course, all benches, ball washers, rakes and divot repair boxes have been removed. The flagstick is to remain in place and not be touched by the golfers. Pool noodles were placed inside the cup so when the player鈥檚 ball made contact, it was considered holed out. Taylor said, 鈥淲e have purchased a mechanism that allows the ball to drop into the cup and players will use their putter to lift the ball catcher out of the hole and release the ball back onto the green.聽 This will be put into place shortly and will give golfers the feel of a regular game back.鈥澛犅犅犅犅犅�
All players have to pre-book their tee times but already some changes in restrictions have been welcomed. 鈥淥riginally when the government announced the opening of golf courses we had to schedule tee times in 20 minute intervals,鈥� Taylor remarked. 鈥淣ow we can have 12 minute tee times intervals so this was a great amendment!鈥澛犅犅犅犅犅犅犅�
Over at the Regional Park, Administrator Kaitlyn Gifford said the staff are getting ready to welcome campers. 鈥淭hings were looking really well,鈥� Gifford said, regarding the situation prior to the pandemic. 鈥淲e open up our booking site in January and we had lots of bookings coming in, even an increase from the year prior.鈥澛� The Park is currently open for day use but that will expand on June 1 when the camping season can officially begin, albeit with necessary changes. Campers are strongly encouraged to use the bathroom facilities in their trailers and RV鈥檚, since access to the park bathrooms will be limited to one family group at a time. There will be no access to showers and as of now the playground equipment is off limits. Gifford explained, 鈥淭here are going to be extra cleaning and precautions, but as long as we are all careful and mindful, things should work out fine. We still need to work together to be safe, but hopefully if we all cooperate, we can get back to 鈥榥ormal鈥� sooner than later.鈥澛犅犅犅犅犅犅犅犅犅犅犅�
Trevor Ouellette, Outlook Recreation Director, says no formal plan for the opening of the Van Raay & Community Swimming Pool can be put in place until the timing of Phase 4 for the re-opening of Saskatchewan is announced. With a tentative date of June 8 set for Phase 3, Ouellette said they are hoping to make an educated estimate on the timing for Phase 4, which will include the opening of swimming pools. 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽
Also under Ouellette鈥檚 purview is the Communities in Bloom program which will continue to build on the momentum that has been established. 鈥淐iB will be going ahead with our normal activities. If we decide to step back from our beautification efforts, history shows that we will have to work twice as hard next year to rehab a year of neglect. Right now the staff are following the social distancing guidelines to the best of their abilities,鈥� Ouellette indicated.聽聽聽聽聽聽
The restrictions and requirements recreation facilities are facing has impacted staffing levels. Hannah Taylor said the later opening of the golf course provided a chance for staff to work on some projects that are harder to tackle in the busy summer months, but with less on the schedule, employees are impacted. 鈥淢ost of our staff started later than normal and there will be less shifts available in the clubhouse without our senior morning, ladies鈥� night and men鈥檚 night, tournaments and events,鈥� she indicated. The Regional Park is facing a similar situation. Gifford remarked, 鈥淲e have made some adjustments to staff levels. We have had to push back start dates for some employees and there will be some cutback to hours as the Park cannot be as full. We can only operate at 50% capacity.鈥�
With a shortened season and restrictions that affect operations, there is concern over the impact to the bottom line. At the golf course, Taylor was anticipating聽 rolling out an impressive list of events. 鈥淲e were looking forward to the season and we had a lot of great plans for 2020,鈥� she remarked. Those plans included new programming, new formats for events, as well as building on the success of beginner ladies and youth classes that have been full over the past couple of seasons, and are benefitting from the instruction of golf pro Brad Birnie.
With the cancellation of events, revenue from 15 tournaments and events, six weeks of lessons, and a combined 42 days of Corporate League Senior Morning, Ladies鈥� Night and Men鈥檚 Nights that were planned, is impacted. 鈥淥ur sales of food, beverage and merchandise will look different than expected,鈥� Taylor explained. But they are doing all they can to have the best season possible. 鈥淲e are working on creative ideas to still make some of these events happen while following the restrictions,鈥� she said. 鈥淣o matter what though, we are lucky to be open and we expect our revenues to be affected and will do our best to break even this season.鈥�
Despite the challenges that have come with dealing with the pandemic, Taylor, Gifford and Ouellette remain optimistic over what the summer can bring for the people of Outlook and area, along with visitors from other places. Hannah Taylor hopes golfing will bring friends and family together and that new faces will come out to give golf a try. 鈥淲e hope that this will be an opportunity for people to re-kindle their love for the game or find it for the first time,鈥� she remarked. 鈥淚t is going to be a little different this summer, so please abide by the restrictions in place as doing so will help us to remain open and keeps us all safe. We are continually doing our best to adapt as we receive amendments. But most of all, have fun! It is unfortunate that we are all in this position, following restrictions and we don鈥檛 have as many activities as normal, but savor this time where life has slowed down a bit and we can sit back and enjoy the little moments again. 鈥�
Outlook鈥檚 Rec Director encourages people to be outside and appreciate what we have. 鈥淕et out and be active,鈥� Ouellette stressed. 鈥淪ocial distancing does not preclude you from enjoying the outdoors, going for a walk or run, or working in the yard. Summer in Saskatchewan is too short to spend inside. Whatever you decide to do, make sure to have fun with it.鈥澛犅犅犅犅�
Kaitlyn Gifford wants to remind people of the amenities to be enjoyed close to home. 鈥淚 just hope people can come out and enjoy the Park. It鈥檚 a great place to have fun and relax,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t is a beautiful Park and we are so lucky to have it right in our backyards.鈥�
The Regional Park booth will be open daily beginning June 1 so patrons can purchase their pass, which provides entrance into all Regional Parks in the province. Gifford said, 鈥淭he Park is open for business and we would love to welcome everyone. Feel free to come down for a walk to enjoy the beautiful weather and wonderful views. We really appreciate everyone鈥檚 support and like everyone, any business is very much appreciated right now. So when the booth opens up, please come by and purchase a season鈥檚 pass and have a great summer.鈥�
