Raptors to Reopen OVO Athletic Centre

The Toronto Raptors will reopen the OVO Athletic Centre on a limited basis, according to a team press release.

The news comes just two days after Toronto Mayor John Tory said he was working with the Raptors to reopen the team's practice facility.

According to the team's press release:

The Toronto Raptors and MLSE, working closely with local government, infectious disease experts and public health authorities, will be facilitating limited access to OVO Athletic Centre for player workouts in line with league guidance. Strict protocols have been designed to ensure this initial level of access will take place in a safe, controlled, and healthy way.

Beginning the week of May 11th, players who choose to will be able to access OVO Athletic Centre, with the following safeguards in place:

· Access is intended to allow players time on the court for activities, such as shooting, that generally cannot be done at home. Players have weights and other workout equipment at their homes for additional conditioning.

· The court is the only area that will be used by players and coaches – locker rooms, weight rooms, medical facilities, offices and other areas of the building will remain closed.

· Though NBA guidelines allow for four players at a time in practice facilities, the Raptors have determined at this time we will have just one player at a time in our building.

· The player will be accompanied by one coach. There will be no overlap between groups.

· Staff members will wear gloves and masks at all times when in the building. Players will wear masks at all times except when on the court.

· A thorough cleaning of all spaces and equipment, including basketballs, will take place before and after each player uses the building.

· Symptom and temperature checks will be done by team medical staff before anyone enters the facility.

· There will be no media, public, or general staff access to the building, and security will be in place outside the facility to ensure physical distancing and the safety of everyone on site.

The safety of our players, staff, and community is paramount. The Raptors are committed to adhering to public health guidelines and government directives intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Updates from Raptors General Manager Bobby Webster's call with reporters:

Raptors GM Bobby Webster says he’s optimistic about chances of NBA returning to play, but acknowledges he’s optimistic by nature.
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) May 8, 2020

Bobby Webster says on a conference call that about half the team is in Toronto, and those who are here have expressed interest in utilizing OVO.
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) May 8, 2020

The team will adhere to travel restrictions with respect to getting players back. Webster says it's case-by-case in terms of what setup is best for each guy. They have not told anyone to come back, and this will all remain voluntary.
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) May 8, 2020

Webster says nearly half the team's players are in Toronto & all of them have expressed interest in coming in for individual workouts. He's not sure how many of the guys that are in the US will be returning to the city but confirms they would need to follow quarantine guidelines.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) May 8, 2020

"With the limited nature of this opening, I don't think this is a huge competitive advantage..." -- Webster. He also noted that this could help his players' mental health; simply being able to get back onto the floor to get up shots, etc.
— Eric Smith (@Eric__Smith) May 8, 2020

Webster says no Raptors have tested positive for COVID-19 and nothing has required further testing.
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) May 8, 2020

Also says immigration status could impact how easy it is for certain Raptors to get back to Toronto.
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) May 8, 2020