Seven-year-old Carter Smith enjoying the newly re-opened splash park. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Keaton Brown

Fun in the Sun

First part of phase four sees splash parks, ball diamonds and soccer fields re-open in the Battlefords

Jun 22, 2020 | 1:29 PM

The first part of phase four of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan gets underway today.

With it comes the opening of activites like splash parks, baseball diamonds and soccer fields.

North Battleford resident Nicole Smith said she and her three sons Carter, Caven and Caysen were excited to see the splash park near their house re-open for the summer.

7-year-old Carter Smith and his 3-year-old twin brothers Caven and Caysen enjoying the re-opened splash park (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

“It is exciting that we can finally use the splash park again. I know they definitely love it. We are always looking for something to do, especially in the warm weather,” she said.

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Nicole Combres, Executive Director for the Boys and Girls Club, said these types of facilities are very important to young people.

“The impact is huge, for the children and youth to be able to spend more time outdoors,” she said.

Combres said the isolation from COVID-19 can have a profound effect on children who are used to being in school and seeing their friends every day.

“The socialization is so important to children and youth and their development and mental wellness, it is important to all of us,” she said.

The opening of baseball diamonds and soccer fields will also usher in the return of organized sports. Combres said participating in organized sports is another vital part of a child’s development.

“Learning things like teamwork, leadership skills and patience and all of those vital skills and abilities that are developed and reaffirmed through organized sports and activities are really important to our children and youth. The more they have those opportunities available to them, the better for them,” she said.

Combres noted that as things continue to open up across the province, there should be a noticeable improvement in children’s physical and mental health.

“Being able to be outdoors and engage, whether it is at a splash park or playground or a ball diamond or soccer field I think we are going to see significant strides with our children and youth in their physical and mental wellbeing,” she said.

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Keaton.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow