Open up school gyms to the public: Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic

It’s time to open up school gyms to the public.

That’s according to Ken Bagnell, the president of Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic.

Currently, COVID-19 restrictions in Nova Scotia include public schools being closed to anyone on weekends, and after 6p.m. on weekdays.

But Bagnell says it’s time to ease up on the restrictions for school gyms, which are completely off-limits to the public.

Bagnell says other sports leagues operating and it should be the same for school gyms. He says would be better for everyone from regular people, to school sports teams who are subject to the same restrictions and have very little opportunity to practice. 

Bagnell tells NEWS 95.7's The Rick Howe Show the current setup is cheating citizens in the provinces from the physical and mental benefits of being active.

“There is a way to get it done, there is a way to open up the gymnasium so people of all ages can have access to those facilities that are in each of our communities across the province,” he says.

And while Bagnell says officials should be applauded for keeping schools safe from outbreaks, he’s also asking people to contact their MLAs to let them know they want the restrictions eased when it comes to school gyms. 

“It may not be the priority with other things going on related to the COVID pandemic, but it is something we have control of. It is fixable.”