Cameras track athletic action in city
If you are not a fan of going for a swim around large crowds and prefer to do your laps in a little more solitude, one city facility has a solution.
The city has launched a live-streaming webcam from the Canada Games Aquatic Centre, which will allow patrons to view the activity at the pool from a distance during operating hours.
Another webcam has already been up and running in the Tournament Capital Centre (TCC) fieldhouse.
Jeff Putnam, Kamloops’ recreation-facilities and business-operations manager, said the city decided to install the webcams after getting feedback from TCC members who wanted to see how busy the facilities were at a given time.
He noted the pool and TCC run a number of events that could be closed to the public and the webcams allow members to know exactly what is happening without having to drive to the building.
Putnam said the webcams can also be used as a marketing tool when the city is dealing with sports organizations or bidding on a major event, rather than touting the facility through a brochure.
The city plans to install a third webcam at Hillside Stadium prior to the B.C. Lions training camp in June.
Two more webcams will be installed at the McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre ice rinks in the summer.
The cost of the five webcams, including software and installation, is estimated at $13,000.
However, any time a camera is used in a public place, concerns tend to be raised over privacy issues.
Putnam said the city has met privacy-legislation requirements, noting the cameras only capture video at a long distance so individuals can’t be identified. The video is not being archived or used to monitor TCC staff performance.
Putnam noted the TCC already has an internal system that can only be accessed at the request of RCMP.
“We’ve met all those tests and we’re really pleased with the results,” he said.
To view the webcams, go online here.
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