BARRHEAD-The Town of Barrhead parks and recreation department is currently waiting to see if or when the Alberta government will lift its latest COVID restrictions which effectively locked down many segments of the province, before planning to re-open town facilities.
Originally, the restrictions were tentatively slated to end on Jan. 12, but yesterday, premier Jason Kenney announced that they would be extended until at least Jan. 21.
As part of the restrictions, the municipality closed all of its indoor recreation facilities, including the Agrena (ice-rink and walking track), Blue Heron Bowl and the curling rink.
It should be noted that although the bowling alley and curling rink are run by independent not-for-profit organizations, the municipality owns those buildings and as a result are responsible for carrying out any public health order.
The only municipality-operated recreation facilities are its four outdoor ice rinks in Cecile Martin Park, Denthor Park, Lion’s Park and the one next to the Agrena and the walking-trail.
However, recreation programs and service co-ordinator Linda Prokott said if the province does lift the moratorium on indoor recreation facilities, it may still take some time before the municipality opens all of its facilities, at least to their full operational level.
The Barrhead Leader asked the recreation department if they were considering lengthening the seasons, most notably of the curling and ice rinks to accommodate user groups who might want to extend their traditional seasons due to all the disruptions the pandemic has caused.
Typically the ice in both facilities is removed in mid to late April.
Although the Prokott did not respond to whether or not they were considering extending the seasons, she said any re-opening strategy would be based on the provincial guidelines and recommendations.
"When we had re-opened in July, after the first shutdown, our facilities were re-opened in phases. [And when the time comes] we will likely take the same approach again," Prokott said, via an e-mail.
She added the recreation department is considering the creation of an additional outdoor ice rink at Millennium Park. Prokott did not give a timeline when the decision would be made.
On. Nov. 13, after Alberta Health Services, mandated a pause on all Edmonton and surrounding areas, the Northern Alberta Interlocking Hockey League (NAIHL) suspended game play for its member associations of which Barrhead is included. Hockey Alberta later clarified the NAIHL announcement, stating that the associations with teams not in the Edmonton region, such as Lac Ste. Anne County and Barrhead, would still be able to practice, except for any players living in the Edmonton and surrounding regions.
Barrhead Curling Club manager Raya Lindquist in a Facebook post stated the club hoped to resume play in January when the municipality re-opens the facility.
While the curling and ice rink still have ice, the decision was made to drain the water from the Barrhead Regional Aquatic Centre's pools and hot tub as a cost-saving measure. It will take approximately eight days after the decision is made to reopen the facility to refill the pools.
The municipality would also have to recall several of its employees. The recreation department, as part of the closures, temporarily laid-off 38 casual or part-time employees.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
