(Battlefords Provincial Park/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Summer peak

Busy long weekend expected in the Battlefords

Jul 30, 2021 | 9:00 AM

Despite a residue of smoke still present in the air and extreme heat for the forseeable future, Battlefords residents appear ready to embrace the first long weekend post COVID-19 restrictions in Saskatchewan.

Golf courses, parks and lakes are preparing for a busy weekend, from both tourists and locals. The Battlefords Provincial Park, which has remained well attended throughout the summer, is expected to be packed, according to Park Manager Angie Carver.

“Reservations are fairly full and we’re in overflow already,” she said. “Everyone will be out and about, getting ice cream at the store, stopping at the food truck and all sorts of things.”

Because of the volume of campers, hikers and more, Carver said they haven’t had an issue with one or two attractions not being used, from golf and mini golf to the dog park that was installed last year.

“Everything is being used, especially the golf course, because it’s the only the only green grass in the park right now,” she said.

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One of the most popular editions to parks across the province, a floating water park, is operational again as of Wednesday evening after repairs were made to address storm damage. Carver said she has been inundated with calls and when it was in use, there were a lot more people using it than just kids.

“There’s mums and dads, grandmas and grandpas, everyone’s having a hoot,” she said. “We had lots of calls about the waterpark during the days when it was down, so a lot of people were just waiting to get back out here.”

Additionally, accessibility upgrades to areas like picnic tables have helped and Carver said they’re still developing a BMX track that they hope to open soon.

“There’s been lots of kids out playing on it and telling us what we need to better too,” she said.

Golfers braving heat wave

Dana Johnson, Director of Golf at the North Battleford Golf & Country Club, said they have a good prognosis for the weekend, despite the warm forecast and number of families heading to the lake or the beach.

“We’re fairly booked up now, though there’s a couple of times available,” he said. “Usually the August long weekend, a lot of people are out at the lake and enjoying that one last weekend before summer is over.”

Johnson said only a few changes have occurred in the process for golfers since July 11, aside from masking in facilities, and golfers have continued some of the habits brought on during the restrictions, such as leaving the flag pole in the hole on greens. Within days, any transitions back had taken hold.

“It’s been greatly accepted and we’re looking forward to a strong finish for the year,” Johnson said.

Many measures introduced as preventative for the pandemic also remain, such as cleaning.

“We’re still sanitizing in the pro shop, our karts are sanitized after every person and we’re trying to keep up with that,”

Course usage has remained steady, though Johnson noted weather has had more of an effect on business than restrictions at times, with members choosing to stay indoors during some of the hottest days. However, he said that the atmosphere has improved since Step 3 of the Reopening plan began and they’re expecting plenty of patronage until the fall comes.

“Mother Nature hasn’t been that kind with the heat and no rain, but the course is still in great shape and there’s a lot of time left to come out and play some golf,” he said. “It’s almost as close as normal again as before. And while the smoke has been tough some days, the conditions are hopefully going to get more favourable.”

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

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