PACWEST Special Statement

The PACWEST has begun planning for the next steps of a return to play model. The goal continues to be to slow the spread of COVID-19. With that in mind, tentative sport schedules have been developed and are under review by the member institutions.

The PACWEST remains committed to provide quality athletic opportunities to enhance the overall educational experience of their students. We are continuing to work closely with provincial and national sport authorities as well as our member institutions to monitor the COVID-19 developments. As our member institutions continue to work within their organization to explore their own return to safe sport plans, the PACWEST is working though contingency plans in an effort to position our conference for eventual return to play.

We all want to see sport return in British Columbia; however, we must proceed cautiously and make sure we follow public health guidelines for B.C. As national and provincial guidelines for sports are announced the PACWEST will provide further updates on how these return to play protocols will impact the various sports and leagues offered.

Revised schedule formats are being considered should COVID-19 restrictions prevent our regularly scheduled PACWEST programming to occur.

The PACWEST is using several key guiding principals to aid in the decision-making process, including, but not limited to:

• Protecting the health and safety of all involved in PACWEST sport.
• Providing PACWEST members with conference formats that best ensure their short-term financial viability and long-term sustainability.
• Ensuring the provincial health authority provides clearance before members resume any competition.

We recognize that every sport is different and may have additional considerations or aspects that are unique to their sport and those will be taken into account.

Ultimately a determination on the scope and format of the PACWEST’s 2020-21 season will be contingent on clearance from the provincial health authority, member institutions permitting sport competition, and an adequate timeframe to deliver a first-class sport experience to our student-athletes.