City aims to curtail “inappropriate” sports behaviour

Troy Shantz Sarnia is looking for feedback on a new safety policy it’s preparing for sports facilities. Until Oct.

Troy Shantz

Sarnia is looking for feedback on a new safety policy it’s preparing for sports facilities.

Until Oct. 28 citizens can comment on the draft R-Zone policy, which promotes positive, safe and supportive environments for all users, visitors and staff at Sarnia’s indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, the city said.

While bad behaviour has not been a major problem at Sarnia’s sports facilities, many other communities are adopting the R-Zone, said Ryan Chamney, manager of recreation and planning.

The R in R-Zone stands for respect and responsibility.

The policy would expand on existing rules by highlighting 15 prohibited behaviours. They include attempting to “goad or incite violence,” theft of property, and using ethnic or racial slurs.

“It’s basically respect for others, respect for yourself, and respect for the facility itself, and for people to be responsible for their actions,” Chamney said.

“For the most part we’ve been pretty fortunate. We haven’t had too many incidents come to our attention over the years, and we just want to get ahead of it.”

To view the draft policy and offer feedback on it, visit https://www.speakupsarnia.ca/r-zone-respect-responsibility.

After the community comments have been received and a final policy prepared, council will consider its approval on Nov. 23.

The goal is to have a policy in place for when COVID-19 restrictions are eased and more access is granted to arenas and sports fields.

“We want to keep our places clean and safe,” Chamney said. “We certainly want to prevent harassment within our sports fields as well.”