Public school gyms in Nova Scotia to be gradually reopened
Posted Nov 3, 2020 08:45:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Nova Scotia's public school gyms will gradually begin reopening to community groups for physical activities and sports later this week.
Education Minister Zach Churchill made the announcement Tuesday, saying it also means more gym time for school sporting teams.
The province is allocating $5.5 million of federal funding from the Safe Return to Class fund to go towards the initiative.
“The bulk of this will be hiring new cleaning staff, also there is the opportunity for folks to get overtime hours,” Churchill says. “And also hiring supervisors to ensure the health and safety protocols are being followed.”
He says it will be a gradual reopening.
“We have over 50 schools that will be opening this week for community access, but others will take time and that will be dependent on hiring cleaning staff,” he says.
The regional centres for education and CSAP have a list of school gyms now open for bookings on their websites.
In the Halifax Regional Centre for Education, six gymnasiums will open on Thursday, November 5: Auburn Drive High, Cunard Junior High, Dartmouth High, Halifax West High, Sackville High, and Sir John A. Macdonald High. All other HRCE gyms are expected to be available for community use as of November 16.
The executive director of Volleyball Nova Scotia, Jason Trepanier, calls the move “fantastic news,” especially for youth.
“We all know sports help children develop into amazing leaders and outstanding members of our community,” he says.
Trepanier adds that the physical and mental health benefits of sports will help individuals cope with the pandemic.
