City facilities are opening back up, with only the Veiner Centre waiting until July 12 to follow suit. The Esplanade, pictured in this May file photo, opens to the public today with afternoon hours.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews
City facilities are returning to normalized operations this week after most pandemic health restrictions were lifted across the province on July 1.
Access to city hall and its parkade is open, capacity limits at council meetings are lifted and other public municipal buildings are open, like the Esplanade, which welcomes guests with afternoon hours starting Tuesday.
The Veiner Centre however, which was only partially open for several weeks over the last 16 months, will reopen Monday, July 12.
The home to City of Medicine Hat seniors services programming was closed to the public from March to early November 2020, and then again when tougher restrictions were brought in late that month. Since then, the city approved a contract for its operations to the Kirby Centre Society, of Calgary, in February.
A city release this week states talks to transition management are still ongoing, but operations will open up this month.
An interim summer schedule states the facility, open to members 50-plus in the Medicine Hat Community, will operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays.
Coffee and tea only will be available from the bistro.
Summer camp sessions at the Family Leisure Centre began Monday. Registration for other camps is ongoing, as are facility bookings, and sign-ups for fitness and aquatic classes.
Transit will continue to operate as it has on regular service, though cash payment with no transfers, or the use of monthly passes, not tickets, are accepted.
Riders are required to wear masks as per remaining provincial health restrictions that also affect taxis and ride-share services.
