School District Suspends Gym Rentals

Surrey Facility Rentals (the Surrey School District's rental division) announced Wednesday that all gymnasium rentals have been suspended until at least April 1st due to the pandemic. This decision directly impacts Seaside Volleyball Club's season plans. However, the club is very fortunate to run activities at the Wave, their official practice and training facility. While it will mean reduced weekly practice schedules and timeslot, the club will still be able to field 19 of the 20 teams planned for this coming season. 

"We somewhat anticipated this" explains club president Shane Donen. "All local sport organizations around the province have been on pins and needles awaiting school districts to make decision on future rentals. Many of them have been desperately searching for alternative facilities including private school and church gymnasiums. We are lucky to have the Wave."

Many, if not most other school districts will follow suit, which could have impacted Volleyball BC youth club season plans as well. However, Volleyball BC has also anticipated the possibility of losing school gyms and have their own solid contingency plans that will ensure club season will continue.

"My biggest concern is for the younger athletes in development" comments Donen. "Unfortunately we have been forced to cancel our 13U boys team program, and postpone indefinitely our 12U boys development program and our longtime 12U girls development program (going into its 18th year). These programs are most important to us. It's where the kids really learn to love the sport."

There will be good news on the horizon though for the development age groups. Seaside will run development programs for 13U boys and girls after spring break, during the summer and next fall as per usual. As things progress, Seaside will post updated information on our development page.