ATHABASCA — The Athabasca Regional Multiplex Society (ARMS) announced Feb. 4 the facility will be partially reopening Monday.
It's a bit of good news, after announcing the artificial ice would be taken out for the season two weeks ago. Strict measures are still in place though, and technically, it remains very much closed to the public except for Edwin Parr Composite (EPC) students and the Farmers' Market.
Under the provincial guidelines, it will not reopen for one-on-one fitness sessions yet, as all individuals accessing the facility are required to be actively supervised by a certified professional, said Multiplex manager Jennifer Edworthy in a Feb. 4 media release.
“At this time, a conservative approach has been taken only granting access to the school for curriculum use and the Farmers’ Market,” she said. “As a result, the Multiplex will remain closed until the public is able to access the facility without this burden.”
Town of Athabasca Coun. Rob Balay, who sits on the ARMS board, made the motion directing Edworthy to give EPC, located next to the Multiplex, and the Farmers’ Market access to the facility under the guidelines.
Athabasca Farmers' Market manager Yvonne McDermid said the news is welcome by the many vendors.
“Needless to say, we're quite excited to get back and the vendors have been patiently waiting for the announcement,” she said.
Prior to the last shut down access to the Farmer’s Market was through the doors on the south side of the Fieldhouse, one for entry and one for exit, and that will remain the same, McDermid explained.
“When we stopped the markets in November masks weren't mandatory for customers, but now everybody will have to wear a mask to have entry of course,” she said. “So, it's much the same; it'll be separate doors, one-way traffic and social distancing.”
For EPC it means a chance to have students in a different environment starting Feb. 8 and will allow for more distancing during physical education where masks are not required, said principal Desmond Nolan Feb. 5.
“We have a great partnership with the Multiplex and this just goes to show how awesome and accommodating they are,” he said. “It’s so awesome for our kids; there are lots of different benefits. I know it's simple, but four new walls to look at means a lot for our students. It's just a different environment, which is good for our kids. It allows our programming to expand a lot, we can do more things.”
Nolan credited assistant principal Sean Morrison who worked with the Multiplex over a couple of weeks ahead of the limited reopening and added it is perfect timing with the current cold snap.
“It enhances the physical and mental wellness of our students, and it really allows us to social distance to a greater degree, especially since outside isn't as available to us during the cold,” he said. “We're very appreciative of our partnership with them, they have been so good to work with.”
The Farmers' Market will reopen Saturday, Feb. 20 and follow the schedule determined prior to the last shut down, opening again March 6 and 20, and April 3 and 17, as long as everything goes well.
“I hope everybody complies and doesn’t cause a wave,” McDermid said.
