Speculation is growing that if the sa国际传媒 Division of the Western Hockey League plays at all this winter or spring, it will be in a bubble centrally located in Kamloops or Kelowna.
The division includes the Victoria Royals.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry was asked about that in her televised media conference Monday.
鈥淚 have not seen that particular [WHL bubble] plan,鈥� she said.
鈥淲e have been in discussions with the WHL about the potential for a season at some point in the future once the epidemiology allows it.鈥�
That is about all the WHL sa国际传媒 Division teams can ask for, said Royals GM and head coach Dan Price.
鈥淭hat Dr. Henry is open to discussion and ideas is good to hear,鈥� said Price.
鈥淚 know the league is looking at every possible option and that includes hubs and protected environments. Every angle is being explored. The biggest issue is can we return to play safely?鈥�
The WHL and provincial health authorities last week approved of a plan in which the five Alberta teams would begin playing a 24-game schedule on Feb. 26. It will involve travel but without fans in the rinks.
Henry said she is in on-going discussions with viaSport, which is the organization that oversees sport in sa国际传媒
鈥淲e are talking about what is rational given our epidemiology and what鈥檚 happening around the province,鈥� she said.
The strongest indication that an Interior hub, and not a travel option, is being considered for the sa国际传媒 Division is that the Royals鈥� home, Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, has been rented out as homeless shelter from March to May. GSL Group owns the Royals and operates the Memorial Centre. GSL Group also operates Prospera Place in Kelowna.
A major focus of Henry鈥檚 media conference, meanwhile, was in heavily discouraging any thought British Columbians might have about taking part in Super Bowl parties Sunday, either in pubs, restaurants, bars or at home.
But despair not, sports fans, Henry exhorted: 鈥淭here are brighter days ahead. The Stanley Cup final is in July and we鈥檒l be in a different place in July. I hope.鈥�
No sports games are allowed in sa国际传媒, other than those of the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL, until at least Friday when the current restrictions conclude. There are strong indications, however, the restrictions will be extended.
鈥淲e know that physical activity is important for the mental health and emotional health of children,鈥� said Henry.
鈥淲e have been working with viaSport to see how we can make sports more available, especially to our children and youth.鈥�
Everybody is in the same boat.
鈥淭his is not unique to sa国际传媒 This is something happening globally and certainly across the country and across the continent,鈥� added Henry.
鈥淲e know leagues and universities are taking that into account. It鈥檚 going to be an extra-ordinary year for everybody. I know there are provisions being taken. We want, as soon as it is safe to do so, to have those important experiences 鈥� for young people in particular.鈥�