Late winter may delay opening of Penticton sports fields

PENTICTON – Winter maintains an icy grip on Penticton sports fields.

The City of Penticton issued a media release today, March 8, warning of a potential delay in opening of the city’s sports fields because prolonged winter temperatures. The higher than normal amounts of snow on the ground has delayed maintenance work on the baseball, slo-pitch, soccer and rugby fields that are normally open by April 1.

Parks supervisor Todd Whyte said the April 1 date remains the target, but points out there is still normal spring maintenance to be done, which includes rototilling infield shale on baseball fields, line painting, raking turf grass and other items.

“Due to the current ground conditions and weather we will not be able to perform the required maintenance tasks until the fields are dry enough for us to put staff and equipment on the grounds,” Whyte says in the release.

The City plans to issue another notice on Monday, March 25 to let users know if the fields will be open by April 1.


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Steve Arstad

Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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