One of the most anticipated weekends of the year not just in Lampman but throughout the surrounding area has had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 for the second year in a row. Lampman recreation director Brittany Sutherland confirmed they have had to cancel their sports weekend. 

The annual event, which usually runs in early June, normally features softball tournaments, golf tournaments, live music, and a parade. Most of those things, however, are not possible under current public health orders and likely won't be until well into the summer. 

"It's always hard for us to announce sad news because it seems like things are just being taken away," said Sutherland. "We are really struggling to make that decision but the rec board, the RM, and the town, with the Lions (Lampman Lions' Club) we decided to cancel 2021."

Last year's even was cancelled due to COVID-19 as well, so this was an especially tough call for the town to make. Some signs were positive for sports to be able to happen this summer, but changes to provincial guidelines weren't going to come quite fast enough. 

"We are hopeful that maybe later on in the summer we can do a ball tournament or a one-day slow-pitch, something just to get everyone back together," Sutherland said. "I feel like everyone is missing that connection."

Sports weekends of the past have raised thousands of dollars, all of which goes back into the town and to groups like the recreation board and the local fire department. Some federal and provincial grants have helped offset the financial loss, but there's no offsetting the lost sense of community the weekend brings. 

"It's been tough," said Sutherland. "We have so many people asking. Everyone looks forward to it, from the young kids that participate in the kids corner, the seniors that love watching the parade, the kids that come out for ball. We have ball players that range from 14 all the way up to their 50s. So it's always tough when an event you put so much time and effort into... it just kind of gets pulled from under us."

Under the current roadmap of reopening laid out by the province, all restrictions on sports would be lifted in step two, which would not be until the third week of June. Sutherland said they are watching restrictions closely to see if they can host an alternative event later in the summer.