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

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

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

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

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