The importance of sport, physical activity and recreation during COVID-19

Brian Torrance, Edmonton Sport Council chairperson and the Hon. Leela Aheer, Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women, discuss the importance of sport, physical activity and recreation during COVID-19.

COVID's Impact on Sport

Sport for Life has released the findings of a nationwide Impacts of COVID-19 on Local Sports Organizations survey  conducted between May 19 and June 5 based on a Sport Calgary survey which was replicated by other Alberta sport councils. The data collected from 1,300 respondents representing nearly 4 million members and more than 56 sports, informs governments of the operational and financial impacts the pandemic has had on sport organizations. Watch a recorded webinar which explores the National findings and/or the Alberta Report.

Sport, Physical Activity, and Recreation Survey

As sport, physical activity, and active recreation organizations prepare to return to play, sport councils/connections across Alberta are collecting information on how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting families and athletes through the relaunch stages. The information gathered from this survey will be shared with local organizations, municipalities, and other sector stakeholders to help inform them as they respond to relaunching their programs. The survey will take approximately 7 minutes to complete.

Infrastructure Planning Engagement

Albertans are invited to provide input to help develop the Alberta Infrastructure Act, as well as government’s 20-Year Strategic Capital Plan. By completing this survey, your input will reinforce the importance of recreational facility infrastructure being included in the Plan. The deadline to complete the survey is August 10.

Edmonton Economic Recovery Grant

The Edmonton Economic Recovery Grant is available to help Edmonton businesses (including non-profit organizations) recover from COVID-19. It provides local businesses and business organizations with flexible funding in order to relaunch and strengthen their business models.

Re-Activating Edmonton: COVID-19 and Waivers

A Discussion with: Vivian R. Stevenson, QC

Session Overview: COVID-19 shut down sport and recreation as we knew it. As organizations begin to plan their return to play, it is essential that they have their waivers and assumption of risk documents reviewed. In this session, Ms. Stevenson identified the risks associated with not reviewing these documents, and clauses to be added, and other mitigations they should take to protect the health of organization’s and individuals. View this recorded session!

Re-Activating Edmonton: The importance of sport and community for overall wellbeing during COVID-19.

A Discussion with: Richard Lewanczuk MD, PHD and Kate Storey PhD, RD

Session Overview: COVID-19 has shut down sport and recreation as we know it and is impacting our mental health. In this session, Dr Lewanczuk and Dr Storey explored how play, be it through sport, physical activity, recreation, and community connections builds our overall wellbeing. View this recorded session!

Stage 2 of Alberta's Re-Launch Announced

Stage 2 of Alberta's re-launch strategy will allow additional businesses and services to reopen and resume operations starting June 12 with 2 metre physical distancing requirements and other public health guidelines in place. This includes: community halls with limits on attendance based on activity, team-based sports with restrictions, indoor and outdoor recreation, fitness and sports with measures in place, and indoor fitness centres, pools and arenas with measures in place.

Return to Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation – Stage 2 Guidelines are also now available! Return to play plans for your sport, physical activity or recreation organization/business must be built around them!

The City of Edmonton has released an official response to the Provincial launch update. The City continues to review reopening plans including how to reopen facilities like recreation centres, arenas, indoor pools and libraries. In order to comply with public health and safety requirements, and in consideration of operational resources, budget constraints, and public compliance, it might mean that reopenings will be phased in over time or currently paused for further review. 

Re-Activating Edmonton: City of Edmonton

COVID-19 has shut down sport as we know it. In this Tuesday June 2nd 2020 webinar, the City of Edmonton:

1. Shared corporate relaunch principles and the relaunch considerations.
2. Provided examples of a business line that was re-introduced.
3. Answered questions from Edmonton's sport community.

A webinar recording is available and a quality copy of the slide deck can be downloaded.

Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations

On April 17, 2020, the Prime Minister announced funding of $500 million to establish a new COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations. The Fund will be administered by Canadian Heritage and divided among select departmental programs and Portfolio agencies as well as key delivery organizations and includes $72 million for the sport sector. National sport organizations and institutes will receive $34.5 million, provinces and territories $32.5 million and the Athlete Assistance Program $5 million. Funds to certain Sport Support Program and Athlete Assistance Program eligible recipients as well as formula-based top-ups to the bilateral sport agreements with provinces and territories will ensure funding is disbursed rapidly. Emergency funding will also be available to the Aboriginal Sport Circle and the provincial and territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies. Eligible recipients will not have to apply for funding. Click here for all the details.

CAC Launches Safe Sport Training

The Coaching Association of Canada is offering free online Safe Sport Training to help all sport participants recognize maltreatment in sport and take informed action to address it. This training is available for free through CAC's online learning platform, the Locker. Coaches certified through the NCCP can also earn Professional Development points upon completing the training.

Building Social Legacies: Through Mega, Major and Signature Sport Events

Hosting sport events can bring many positive benefits to the community. Traditionally, many of the benefits that motivate event hosts, governments and sponsors have focused predominantly on creating economic or sport impacts. More recently, mega, major and signature sport event organizers are being asked to help communities address long-standing social issues and to leave the community better than before. This resource provides the background and process for host committees, social agencies and governments to plan and deliver initiatives that leave social legacies. Background information and a reference list can be found here.

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