INNISFAIL — Despite all the wet and cool weather Mother Nature has brought, Innisfailians can now get the true taste of summer.
The pool at the Innisfail Aquatic Centre is open for business, albeit with a comprehensive COVID plan with many rules and restrictions. The facility reopened on Monday (July 13) after being closed since March 16, nearly three months ago.
On July 6 at town council's Agenda & Priorities Meeting, Dawn Murray, the aquatic centre supervisor, and Trish Cerin, the town's facilities manager, presented a detailed re-opening plan, one which was termed as a "starting point" by Todd Becker, the town's CAO.
"The intent of the start is a starting point only, as we transition into this," said Becker, adding the new rules could be modified in the future. "This is a starting point just to get into the new routine of cleaning etcetera."
Murray and Cerin also had a written report for council that outlined the facility's reduced programming, increased sanitation, and limits on facility users.
The restrictions include:
- All patrons must maintain physical distancing of two metres (6 feet) of each other.
- Front counter will need plexiglass to separate patrons from staff.
- Payment would be by debit, credit card or online for passes or lessons.
- Patrons should call in and book a time slot for lane swim or lessons.
- Time limits on patrons will be implemented.
- Cohort groups can have a maximum of 50 individuals, which includes instructors/coaches/swimmers.
- When more than one cohort group is in the facility, barriers or a two metre distance should be used between cohort groups.
Council was advised that signs will be posted at the facility entrance that COVID guidelines, set by the province and AHS, are in place. Anyone showing signs and symptoms will not be allowed entry into the facility, and patrons will be screened to ensure they are not infected with COVID.
"We went through it thoroughly, and we spent a lot of time on it to make sure we were hitting all the Alberta Health Services standards and I think we are good," said Cerin during the council presentation.
Murray said in a follow-up interview that the three most important guidelines citizens should comply with are being swim-ready when they come to the aquatic centre, maintaining social distancing and pre-signing for usage.
"Have your swim suit underneath as that will limit the time in the change rooms. That will give us enough time to clean and if that goes smoothly we then might be able to revisit what we can offer," she said, adding staff will be vigilant to ensure safe social distancing guidelines are followed. Murray added citizens are required to call ahead of time to book swimming times.
Murray said the biggest challenge for staff to reopen the facility was its design as all users must come in and leave at the same entrance/exit.
In the meantime, the splash park, which is just outside the facility, was already open for the public. Murray said the facility, which operates on a timer, is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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