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“Sports organizations have been impacted,”: BC Tourism Minister on when sports leagues can resume

BC Tourism Minister Lisa Beare stated sports leagues like the BCHL will have to wait and see when it’s safe to resume play.

Prince George has two junior hockey teams looking to resume play in the BCHL’s Spruce Kings and the Cougars of the Western Hockey League.

Last month, BCHL commissioner Chris Hebb stated the league could begin the season at 25% capacity while WHL commissioner Ron Robison mentioned they can’t start with crowds any less than half full.

In an interview with MyPGNow.com, Beare said sports teams, like the tourism industry, are in a tough spot.

“Like tourism, sports organizations, arts, and culture organizations have been severely impacted. Organizations like the BCHL relies on ticket sales as do many of the other semi-professional leagues, we are in a very difficult time.”

“Doctor Henry has said that large gathering events that require ticket sales won’t be contemplated until Phase 4 and we will continue to work through the summer and BC residents will continue to work to hold the line on COVID-19.”

The current gathering limit in BC is 50 people.

In March, the World Women’s Curling Championship that was slated to be held at CN Centre was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

Brendan Pawliw
Brendan Pawliw
Since moving to Prince George in 2015, Brendan has covered local sports including the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, Prince George Spruce Kings, UNBC Timberwolves, Cariboo Cougars AAA, and Northern Capitals U18 female hockey teams. Career highlights include play-by-play during the Spruce Kings' BCHL championship runs in 2018 and 2019, including the Doyle Cup win. He also covered the 2019 National Junior A Championship, the 2017 Telus Cup, the 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship, and the 2022 BC Summer Games. Brendan is the news voice on 94.3 The Goat and Country 97 FM, reporting on crime, real estate, labour, and environmental issues. Outside of work, he officiates box lacrosse and fastball, sits on the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame board, and co-hosts the Hockey North podcast.

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