Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Chad Klassen

GAME ON!

Interior Health reverses decision on competition, damage already done

Aug 26, 2021 | 4:46 PM

KAMLOOPS — There was outrage and confusion across the Kamloops sporting community after Interior Health said ‘no’ to competition.

However, that order, which was dated Monday (Aug. 23) but didn’t come out until Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 24), has been rescinded.

An email from Interior Health says “we have changed our direction on team sports. Team sports are now permitted under the IHA Gathering and Events Order.”

It means the TRU WolfPack soccer teams’ Sept. 10 season and home opener against UBC is back on.

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“Our planning is certainly on hosting that weekend when UBC is scheduled to come to town,” said TRU Athletic Director Curtis Atkinson. “We’re waiting to see what the official orders indicate in terms of the competition regulations, but we feel really good about what we’ve heard that we can continue planning to host here in the near future.”

Atkinson and TRU Athletics received the official word when Interior Health posted an update on its website late Thursday afternoon.

However, the short-lived restrictions have already had a major impact on the city, which has lost at least 10 events, including the National Co-Ed Slo-Pitch World Series. The tournament was scheduled to be played in Kamloops from Sept. 2-6.

“These folks have spent an entire year raising money, all the different things they need to do to go to an event like this, so we were left with no choice but to cancel the event based on the HMO saying no games at this time,” said NSA Canada CEO Terry Sibbick. “Otherwise, people were going to lose deposits. They were going to lose out on a lot of money.”

It means the city as well, both in terms of facility bookings and spin-off business at restaurants and hotels, is out a lot of money — millions of dollars.

With between 160 and 170 teams, the tournament brings $3.5 million to Kamloops every year, according to Sibbick. He hopes to reschedule the tournament for a later date, but doesn’t believe the restrictions were meant to be “malicious.”

“Nobody wants to take $3.5 million of spending into the Kamloops economy that could desperately need it right now. Nobody wants to do that,” said Sibbick. “We believe they just maybe made a couple honest mistakes.”

The COVID-19 restrictions have been confusing for everyone, and this sudden reverse by Interior Health highlights the uncertainty.

“It is confusing. It is a little bit challenging day to day when coaches are trying to prepare athletes to compete and things look like they have to shift,” said Atkinson. “But we’re focused on making sure our athletes still have a competitive environment and we’re very confident we’ll have a full Canada West season.”

Atkinson says even if restrictions are re-implemented by Interior Health this fall — not out of the realm of possibility — the WolfPack are more than willing to play on the road — as long as they are playing.