By Adam Donnelly

Summertime fun (somewhat) on hold in Kamloops due to smoke

Aug 24, 2018 | 4:24 PM

KAMLOOPS — With the smoke as thick as it’s been all year in the city, people are likely staying closer to home and aren’t venturing out as far for some of their favourite summertime activities.

Local golf courses are just one casualty of the smoky weather, as fewer players hit the links. For some hardier locals, the smoke isn’t keeping them off the tee box at Kamloops Golf and Country Club, but the links aren’t quite as busy as they would be on an ideal summer day in the city.

“Unfortunately when you get these smoky skies and these poor air quality days, some people obviously can’t come out and see us,” Kamloops Golf and Country Club GM Brice MacDermott told CFJC Today.

Environment Canada’s Air Quality Health Index has Kamloops ranked at a 10-plus today, the highest possible rating on their scale, while Purple Air air quality readings vary between 250 and 300. Air quality readings like those indicate people should avoid strenuous activity outdoors. The poor air quality has caused the cancellation of a number of events throughout the city, including a golf tournament at KGCC.

“We were supposed to host the TRU Foundation Tournament today, but unfortunately due to the air quality they have cancelled the event,” McDermott said.

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The City of Kamloops has caught some flak from the public for closing the Canada Games Pool for annual maintenance this month.

“This year we’ve had to close the Canada Games pool and keep it closed due to some fairly major maintenance,” Parks and Civic Facilities Manager Jeff Putnam explained. “We have to re-grout both pools, had to book the contractor 8 months ago. We could not make that adjustment.”

City staff has decided to defer some maintenance work on the TCC Fieldhouse to give people some indoor recreation options during these smoky days.

“There are definitely options for the public,” Putnam said. “If they want to swim they can go to Westsyde pool. If they want to come in a get some indoor recreation in a nice environment… of course, the TCC is an option. The indoor track, drop-in basketball, and the fitness facilities are open.”

While many people across BC may not be able to spend the final days of August taking part in their favourite summertime activities because of the smoky skies throughout the region, McDermott says if that’s the worst result of this summer’s wildfires we here in the city experience, we’ve got it pretty good.

“If our business is a little bit down during this time, I mean really, it’s minor,” MacDermott said. “We just hope everyone in the province is safe [and] we get a little bit of moisture and conditions improve for a nice fall here in BC.”

by Adam Donnelly

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Summertime fun (somewhat) on hold in Kamloops due to smoke

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