Wednesday May 19, 2021 | SOOKE, BC
by Molly Pearce for Island Social Trends | Editor Mary P Brooke
The SEAPARC Leisure Complex in Sooke has undergone its fair share of changes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. From the facility’s new renovations completed just as the pandemic emerged, to its hosting of an Island Health immunization clinic, the pandemic has forced SEAPARC to quickly adapt.
The immunization clinic set up by Island Health within the SEAPARC Leisure Complex building has caused little disruption to visitors’ everyday use of the recreational facilities. SEAPARC Managing Director Steve Knoke says that “the clinic has had a very minor impact to user access” and that the new addition of the clinic has gone smoothly. The facility seeks to ensure above all that “staff and patron’s health and safety are at the forefront of all of [their] planning.”
The facility’s core services will continue to be available, says Knoke. Services such as drop-in swimming, weight-room training, and aqua-fit classes will go ahead, in addition to golf clinics, personal-training, swim lessons, and summer camp programming throughout the summer. Visitors are also more than welcome to tour the new fitness facility. It should be noted, however, that the pool will be unavailable from May 30 until June 27 due to annual maintenance.
The DeMamiel Creek Par 3 Golf Course continues to be highly popular as it presents an ideal socially-distanced outdoor activity. The course on Throup Road is open 7 days a week from 8 am until 6 pm.
Additional summer activities at the leisure center are still uncertain as SEAPARC awaits more information about the provincial public health restrictions that will be in place in the coming months.
In addition to their mask-wearing, social distancing, and capacity restrictions, SEAPARC has been forced to address several other obstacles due to the nature of certain athletic activities.
For example, no spectators are allowed at sporting events held at SEAPARC’s facilities in order to adhere to restrictions on social gatherings.
As for the weight room, fitness studio, and pool, visitors must make reservations for these facilities which are now open for limited hours.
The SEAPARC Leisure Complex is owned by Capital Regional District (CRD), with tax contributions annually from residents of the District of Sooke and the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area.
