OLDS — For the moment, the Sportsplex remains available for bookings by appointment only while staff examine how newly relaxed COVID restrictions could affect the facility.
Community services director Doug Wagstaff made that announcement during town council’s Feb. 8 meeting.
“We are still sorting out what the new regulations would entail,” said Wagstaff.
The relaxed regulations, which took effect Feb. 8, allow children and youth 18 and under – excluding coaches or trainers -- to participate in lessons, practices, and conditioning activities for indoor and outdoor team sports.
A maximum of 10 people, including coaches, trainers and participants, can participate in those activities. However, all participants must be physically distanced from each other at all times.
Masks must be worn at all times, except when engaged in physical activity.
Staff are honouring previous bookings made until March 1 and will evaluate the COVID-19 situation to determine what will be allowed in the next six weeks after that date.
Wagstaff was responding to a query from Coun. Mary Anne Overwater, who asked if ice could perhaps be taken out of the Sportsplex’s auxiliary facility so that community groups could utilize a dry surface there.
Wagstaff said staff have commitments for ice usage for at least the next three weeks. After that, the ice may be taken out of one facility, but it would remain in the second facility until the middle of May. He noted that’s the way it usually works each year.
“There is always an annual conflict for demand on the dry versus ice surface when one season is closing and the other season is opening, irrespective of COVID,” Wagstaff said.
“Dry floor has less utilization on any given year, than the ice utilization, so that's what we’re looking at.”
Coun. Mary Jane Harper said it would be great if Wagstaff could provide councillors with an update on the situation during council’s next meeting.
