Share to The COVID-19 pandemic is having a major impact on Greater Vernon Recreation Services. Between October and December 2020, public participation was down between 29 to 75 per cent for activities like public swimming, swim lessons, fitness, drop-in sports and playschool gym programs. “Due to the extended closure of our recreation facilities at the start of the pandemic, there was a loss of revenue in 2020 of approximately $1.75 million,” said Doug Ross, Director, Recreation Services. “That loss was partially offset by a reduction in expenditures – the majority of which, unfortunately, included the laying off of staff. This was a hard but necessary step to take because of the circumstances.”