BARRHEAD- Barrhead area residents will have to wait a little longer before they can take advantage of the town's indoor recreational facilities.
After an in-camera session during their June 8 meeting, Town of Barrhead councillors decided to delay the opening of the aquatics centre and Agrena's walking track until Stage 3 of the province's Open for Summer reopening plan.
In Stage 3, all public health restrictions will be lifted. Stage 3 begins two weeks after at least 70 per cent of Albertans 12 years and older have received at least their first COVID-19 vaccination and COVID-19 hospitalizations fall under 500.
As of the end of day on June 9, 67.8 per cent of Albertans 12 and up has received at least their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. In Barrhead, that number stands at 46.3 per cent. In Westlock and Athabasca, the percentage increases to 52.9 and 53.9 per cent, respectively.
Currently, we are in Stage 2 of the province's Open For Summer reopening plan. In Stage 2, outdoor gatherings of up to 20 people with physical distancing are allowed, but indoor social gatherings are still prohibited. Indoor recreation and entertainment such as recreation centres, arenas, casinos, cinemas, theatres, museums, galleries, libraries, et cetera may open at one-third of fire code occupancy.
Chief administrative officer Edward LeBlanc said the council decided to follow staff's recommendation and wait until all restrictions are lifted.
In Stage 2, gyms and fitness facilities are allowed to open for solo and drop-in activities and indoor fitness classes with three-metre distancing.
In a June 9 media release, the municipality also states that there is still some ambiguity, as the province has not updated its swimming pool and hot tubs guidance document.
"It just makes things a lot simpler," LeBlanc said, adding, in the case of the walking track, they don't have the staff required to monitor adherence to the public health restrictions.
The media release also states the delay gives parks and recreation staff more time to complete needed repairs, rehire and recertify staff, as well as fill and heat the pool and get the chemical levels correct.
As for the town's other indoor recreation facility, Blue Heron Bowl, they are in the process of completing repairs and renovations due to water damage caused by a plumbing issue.
LeBlanc said the repairs will be complete by the end of next week.
It should be noted that Barrhead Bowl is operated by the Barrhead Bowling Association. It will be their decision, made in consultation with parks and recreation, on when they will reopen. However, the bowling alley in previous years has traditionally been closed over the summer months.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
