CALEB NICKERSON
PONTIAC June 10, 2020
At the end of May, the Pontiac Maison des Jeunes announced that they would not be able to conduct their usual programming this summer due to concerns and restrictions about COVID-19.
The community organization usually hosts . . .
youth soccer and softball leagues throughout the region, as well as other activities at several of their locations.
In a press release sent out on May 29, General Manager Stéphane Durocher listed the many reasons for the unfortunate cancellation, such as restrictions on public gatherings, numerous stipulations for employees, and the closure of many public venues that they make use of.
The release also states that their head office in Mansfield is in need of repairs due to extensive flood damage from 2019, and they would be moving ahead with renovations in the mean time.
“In short, we want to offer a healthy and safe environment that we are not able to offer at the moment,” Durocher wrote in the statement.
The Shawville District Recreation Association also announced that they would be cancelling their summer sports leagues, due to the stipulations required by public health authorities. Though they had announced on social media on May 28 that they would be moving ahead with their programming, they had to retract their statement in a followup post on June 3.
“We were hopeful it would be something we could proceed with, but after reviewing the procedures that would need to be implemented to keep everyone safe, we have decided we are not able to proceed,” the post states.
Similarly, the Norway Bay Municipal Association had announced at the end of May that they would not be able to proceed with their summer programming as well.
