Hey Jasper, we need your help! ♥️

You’ve all heard it over and over again. Another thing canceled because of the pandemic. It’s now more than half way through November 2021 and indoor recreational sports has not fully returned to our community. Yes, @marmotbasin is open. Yes, @jasperlib is open. Yes, the gym, rock wall and pool are open at the Jasper Fitness and Aquatic Centre too. Restaurants? Open. Arts? Open. @jasperhabitatforthearts has actively begun starting up creative classes again. Gym classes and home games for our high school teams have been held at @jasperjrsrhighschool. On Thursday, November 25th, our junior boys and girls volleyball teams will travel to Edson for a full day tournament and beer league and competitive hockey and @jaspercurlingclub are well under way for everyone, of all ages in our town.

So, WHY have recreational sports like indoor volleyball, basketball, soccer and badminton not been allowed to resume? Good question! And we have ZERO idea why. 

Before “you know what”, @jaspervolleyballleague played 2-3 nights a week in our high school gym. We played on 3 nets, intended for different competitive and skill building levels. We saw an average of 40 players come out every night we played. Our players came from ALL age ranges and all skill levels. We encourage everyone to play. You are welcome to join us at any time, we promise that! We hosted two tournaments with up to 10 registered teams. Our last tournament hosted 3 teams from Hinton. It's obvious serious growth was happening! Our fun tournaments were graciously sponsored with prizes from many local restaurants and businesses and our players frequently went out to eat and have a few drinks after our games. 

Where has that all gone?

It will soon be another month of no recreational sports in Jasper. There is absolutely no valid reason why we have been ignored. Recreational sports in our secluded mountain town is extremely important. Not only does it benefit our physically health, but it also supports positive mental health too. We are a micro community, we build friendships and inspire connection. We are being held back and enough is enough. We live in an active community that has been patiently waiting long enough for this part of our lives back.

On October 25, 2020, a week or so after calling and leaving a voicemail (a what?!) for the Director of Facility Services at Grande Yellowhead Public Scollard Division, Ken Baluch, I decided to email him instead. I cc’d his Assistant Director, Brian Orge, too. On November 1, 2020 myself and a few other organizers in the recreational sports community sent Ken and Brian a communal email as well. We still have not heard ANYTHING back. Not even an automated email reply. I can only assume we are not a priority to them, and I believe we should be one.

So, Jasper, I’m asking for your help. I’m reaching out to you and asking for your support. Help us get indoor recreational sports in Jasper back up and running. The demand is high. This used to be an increasing revenue to our town. We need this, on many levels. And I’m not going to give up on this one.

Please show your support and help us push forward stronger and with a bigger voice. We will continue to request access to use the indoor gym after school hours at our local Jasper Jr/Sr High School for recreational sports during the 2021/2022 winter season. Please sign and then share this petition. Please talk about this in our community. I will reach out to our town Council for their direct support if we have not accomplished this by December 31st, 2021.

Thank you and I appreciate your time and commitment to the physical and mental health of our community in Jasper.

♥️,

Beth McLachlan - Volunteer Director - Jasper Volleyball League @jaspervolleyballleague

Today In Jasper @todayinjasper