REGINA – First it was pools and spray pads, now Regina’s athletic fields are on the chopping block.
Almost two weeks after the city first asked residents to conserve water, we have yet to meet our 25 per cent water reduction goal.
That’s forcing the city to make tough decisions about water usage.
“No one wants to be here. No one wants this to happen, but it is important that our assets like the fields and our pools are protected,” said Mayor Michael Fougere.
Soccer, football and rugby fields will be inspected this weekend and if they show serious signs of wear and tear, they will be closed.
“If we continue to have activities on them we may ruin them for the rest of the summer,” Fougere said.
That’s hard for local rugby players to hear, as their season just got underway.
There are only two official rugby fields in Regina, and if they close, they’ll be forced to cancel games.
“We understand why the city’s doing it,” said rugby union president, Grant Cranfield. “But, rugby would just come to a halt.”
They could move to fake grass fields, but time on turf is hard to come by. Football Saskatchewan has already announced it is looking to book those spaces for flag and touch football games.
“We understand it’s inconvenient for those groups that want to play soccer and football and rugby, but we do not take this lightly,” the mayor said.
Some fields have already shut down, including the lawn bowling club.
Regina Catholic School Board is also struggling. It has been following the conservation message and hasn’t been watering the grass.
That’s led to patchwork conditions at Dr. Martin LeBoldus High School and Archbishop M.C. O’Neill High School. To try and preserve the fields, they have been closed to the public.
Even if fields aren’t closed, the mayor is hoping users go easy on the dry grass. “We’re asking that only scheduled activities on recreational fields continue, but no impromptu play or practice be done.”
At this point, fines will not be issued for those who fail to comply, but they may be asked to stop by a bylaw officer.
To stay up to date on which fields are closed, visit the city’s website.
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