Mayor Ted Clugston addresses the press at an update of civic actions pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic response. --NEWS PHOTO COLLIN GALLANT
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
The process of reopening some city recreation and cultural facilities has gone well, officials said Tuesday, but with attendance below even restricted capacity levels, work to open more indoor facilities and arenas may be slowed.
This month, the city’s parks and recreation department welcomed the public back to the Family Leisure Centre, an outdoor pool, and the swimming lake at Echo Dale Regional Park under new protocol and new capacity limits to halt the spread of the coronavirus.
Only one of the city’s five community-use arenas is open and the city is now evaluating how many may be needed this fall when hockey season begins, considering a potential drop-off as players and parents weigh health risks and other factors.
“The rink is open at the FLC, and we’re assessing the use and uptake on that, and we’ll reassess on other rinks,” said Merrick Brown, the city’s director of emergency management.
“We don’t want to open up too many facilities when they’re not being used. And that’s the same with pools.
“If there is a big drive, that would lead us to open more.”
Brown called attendance at indoor rec facilities “lower than expected” and less than lowered levels meant to encourage physical distancing.
The city is evaluating whether Hill Pool will open this season, while Heights Pool will not. The Crestwood Recreation Centre, with an indoor pool and gyms, is also still closed.
But, said Brown, the city has also opened a variety of outdoor rec spaces, such as tennis courts and spray parks, the Esplanade, city hall, and also increased capacity on city transit buses.
“We’re getting close to the point were everything we’ve closed down has opened up again,” said Brown. “We are still looking at other facilities, like pools and the Canalta Centre … but we’ll continue to assess the provincial recommendations.”
Brown joined Mayor Ted Clugston is saying the public should be congratulated for playing by the rules, such as maintaining distance from each other and practising good hygiene.
“We opened Echo Dale and it worked out, and I want to applaud residents,” said Brown, adding his concern was a rush to the facility and potential overcrowding that did not develop.
“That doesn’t mean we can let our guard down, though.”
Mayor Ted Clugston agreed with Brown that vigilance in the general public would be key to keeping cases low and facilities open.
“At this point, I suppose no news is good news,” said Clugston.
“I went out in shorts and a hat and T-Shirt, and was happy and pleased to see the citizens of Medicine Hat are following the rules as best they can.”
Monday saw the transit service increase capacity on buses, and as well began distributing 90,000 masks provided by Alberta Health Services.
Brown said at this point wearing masks is a “high recommendation” but not mandatory.
A change in that policy would follow advice from Alberta Health Services, which to this point has not mandated mask use.
“Throughout the entire process we’ve taken the direction from AHS,” he said. “But the recommendation is there when you can’t maintain.”
