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It was one of the lingering questions from the Government of Saskatchewan’s Re-Open Saskatchewan Road Map released earlier this month: how big will the crowds be this summer and this fall? 

There was plenty of detail for Phases 1 and 2 of the Road Map. We can now expect that a lot of the restrictions we’re been facing could be lifted within the next month. Essentially, as far as provincial restrictions are concerned, we’ll be close to the level we were at last Thanksgiving, with two exceptions: we’ll still have to wear masks for gatherings, and private indoor functions will be limited to 15. (They were 30 last October).

Of course, this is all subject to change, and while I’m looking forward to the methodical lifting of restrictions, I won’t get too excited until restrictions are gone.

The third phase, slated to happen in July, was vague. That’s likely by design; it’s hard to plan that far in advance, especially during a pandemic. Step 3 will come into effect three weeks after 70 per cent of Saskatchewan adults receive their first dose; at the rate the province is going, that’ll happen before too long. (More than 50,000 Saskatchewan residents received their first dose in a recent three-day span.

I’d love to know how many people will be able to watch a race program at the Estevan Motor Speedway in mid-July. You’d hope that it won’t just be 150 people in the grandstand, along with fans watching from their vehicles in the paid parking area. 

Will the speedway be able to have 1,500 fans in that grandstand in mid-July? Hard to say. But given the size of the seating area, it could be half full and people would still be effectively spaced out. 

The number of people flocking to the Estevan Motor Speedway, the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ Mosaic Stadium and every other sports entity operating this summer will ultimately depend on the success of the vaccine strategy – the percentage of people who get both shots of vaccine, and the number of cases of COVID we have once the summer hits. 

We’ve seen the U.S. successfully host sporting events with large and even capacity crowds in outdoor settings, without having a surge in COVID-19 cases, but the U.S. is much further ahead in its efforts to get people fully vaccinated, with two doses of vaccine.

Would I feel comfortable going to a packed stadium? Right now, I wouldn’t want to be in the grandstand of the Estevan Motor Speedway with 1,500 people present. If we’re talking about 150-200 spectators, I’d be fine with that. (Certainly, the speedway should be allowed to have more people in its grandstand than an indoor venue that seats 200. But both are currently capped at 30).

In fact, I’d be fine with more than 200. But not 1,500. Not until we get more people fully vaccinated, and until the case count is lower in southeast Saskatchewan.

Hopefully the situation is very different come July, and that we’ll have every reason to want to watch a program at our great speedway with 1,500 fans present.

There’s been speculation as to how many people will actually be willing to attend large crowd events such as sports and concerts. Some will want to avoid crowds, especially large crowds, such as a packed Mosaic Stadium, but there are so many people eager to get out and do things, including attending events with crowds.  

I’m pleased that the government has this plan to reopen the province, that it’s gradual rather than aggressive, while not moving at the speed of a continental drift.  

The end of restrictions on crowd sizes will be one of those signs that we have emerged from the pandemic, and life is back to where it was, or at least as close to where it was as possible. We can cheer and high five a complete stranger after a touchdown, or sing along to our favourite song while surrounded by friends at a concert.  

It’s great that groups and organizations and promoters have found ways to make music and fundraisers happen in the past 14 months, but the drive-in concert isn’t the same as a concert at Affinity Place with 2,000 spectators.

We have reason for hope that hasn’t been there in a long time. Now we just have to hope that hope includes bigger crowds in July, and crowd sizes that will steadily grow.