As spring heats up and some restrictions around the coronavirus (COVID-19 strain) pandemic are lifted, Islanders are emerging if the steady, social-distanced line at Kiwanis Dairy Bar in Victoria Park is any indication.
On Sunday, with plenty of sun and temperatures near 20 C, it was a perfect day to get out of the house to grab some ice cream and plenty of people, like Sean Gallant, were taking advantage.
“It’s something I’ve been looking forward to for the last couple weeks,” he said.
“I have ice cream dreams.”
Gallant, with skateboard and roommate in tow, was bound for the nearby skatepark, but not before getting a strawberry sundae.
Despite describing himself as “not a social guy,” Gallant said he was missing simple outings like this and beyond being delicious, the sundae is a hopeful sign of things to come, he said.
“It shows there’s a light at the end of the tunnel with these restrictions getting lifted … it’s good to see it (improve).”
While the Dairy Bar had a late opening this season due to COVID-19, operator Basil Hambly said business is mostly normal, with the nice weather making for busy days.
“We can’t complain, you know. A lot of people have been stuck inside the house the last few months and want to get out and the park is just the place to come and people are very excited.”
For Dan Watts, the normality of going out for a walk and getting some ice cream on a gorgeous, hot day was a way to help his daughters during these unusual times.
“We’re also just getting them to burn off some steam.”
Watts’ partner, Sarah Hamilton, said while they have continued to get the kids out for walks around the block, other easing restrictions will help the return to normal even more.
“Now that the trails are open, we’ll go out to Fullerton’s or Bonshaw.”
Citing incidents like China and South Korea, where easing restrictions caused a recent resurgence of COVID-19, Watts is careful to temper his expectations around the continued loosening of the rules, which have kept P.E.I. relatively unscathed throughout this pandemic.
“It’s nice (to get out). It’s a little less stress, but we’ll see how it goes.”
Hambly, though more hopeful, had similar thoughts as the Kiwanis club thinks about ways to celebrate the Dairy Bar's 65th anniversary. Due to restrictions, it’s unlikely the club can have a large event. Instead, the plan is to have several smaller events throughout the summer to honour the occasion.
Regardless, Hambly is happy to be of service to the community.
“We love seeing the people coming and chatting and doing it again.”
