Playgrounds in North Battleford will open for the first time in just over two months Friday. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Playgrounds returning

Province announces playgrounds to reopen Friday

Jun 9, 2020 | 2:00 PM

As phase the of the provincial plan takes effect this week, the Government of Saskatchewan recently announced another opening.

As of Friday, June 12, playgrounds and beaches around the province, along with their associated public washrooms, will be available for use once again.

Executive Director with the Battlefords Boys and Girls Club, Nicole Combres, said she was excited upon hearing the news. She said local playgrounds play a pivotal role in encouraging kids to get outside and get active.

“Getting outdoors and playing outdoors is so important and especially for our children and youth,” she said. “Children and youth are so used to being in school and having outdoor recess and lots of outdoors time. But with no school, a lot of our members are finding themselves stuck at home and that has tended to mean stuck indoors.”

Combres said in addition to the physical benefits that come with outdoor play, getting outside can also help inspire imagination, and serve as an activity the all family members can enjoy together.

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“Having the playgrounds open is going to encourage families to get out and become more active again,” she said. “[They can] enjoy the beautiful weather that we’ll continue to have hopefully and that’s good for everyone’s mental wellness.”

North Battleford Mayor Ryan Bater, said while it’s an exciting day for kids and parents alike in the community, it remains important to keep in mind in mind the social protocols in place over the last two months.

“The pandemic is still going on, so people who are not of the same household should maintain two meters of distancing, and if you’re sick do not go,” he said. “Gathering limits [also] have to be followed, so if you come there and there’s a lot of people, you should walk away and go to a different playground, or come back later.”

All outdoor City of North Battleford playgrounds have been closed since March 24. The parks were closed in an effort to curb public gatherings and to minimize the potential spread of COVID-19 in the community.

For more information on the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan, click here.

Winning bid for Senator Herb Sparrow Park Structure

North Battleford City Council met Monday night and selected the winning bid for the replacement of the play structure at Senator Herb Sparrow Park. The park is located on 104^th St., and 13^th Ave, next to the Battlefords Boys and Girls Club.

Combres said she’s very excited about the new structure, as the current one is well-used and appreciated by a number of children and youth in the community.

“The playground is used by our members six days a week – almost seven days a week – and when it’s not used by our members, outside of our operating hours there are always community kids on the playground,” she said. “I’m so excited we are going to have a new, fresh, redesigned play structure for the children and youth in this area to utilize.”

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1