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Ensuring safety of public facilities when they reopen is a dilemma, says city

More ‘clarity’ is needed from the province
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Karen Mann, the City of Red Deer’s emergency operations centre director, says many details about the phased re-openings of city facilities must still be considered. She expects to announce some particulars on Friday. (Advocate file photo).

The City of Red Deer is grappling with how to proceed with the first phase of provincial reopening measures, while still preserving public safety.

While the City of Lacombe has announced its municipal office and public works building will reopen May 19, the City of Red Deer is making no such commitment — yet.

The city’s emergency operations centre director, Karen Mann, said Thursday many factors must still be considered, and more clarity must be obtained from the chief medical officer of health about how to accomplish staged reopenings safely.

“The government has provided a framework, but no specifics. They are relying on municipalities to ensure that (reopened facilities) are safe. That job is ours.”

The provincial government has included outdoor recreation facilities among its suggested Phase 1 reopenings for May 14, but city officials don’t know if children’s playgrounds are meant to be included in this.

“There are no hand-washing facilities at most of our playgrounds,” said Mann — and there’s the potential for anyone to wander through and put hands on the metal structures.

“We are trying to seek clarity on some of the details… we appreciate the public’s continued patience on this.”

While most regional golf courses will be reopening on May 14, farmer’s markets, summer camps and museums are also included in the government’s suggestions for Phase 1 reopenings.

But Mann noted the provincial ban on all gatherings over 15 people still applies. How then would it be possible to open something like a farmer’s market?

She said the city is still discussing whether some summer camps can be offered to help with child-care needs during July and August.

City officials have been assessing how the City of Red Deer can gradually reopen, ever since municipal facilities were shut down in March, said Mann.

“We are looking at procedures that would allow our staff to return safely to the workplace,” she said.

But then the province recently directed any Albertans who can continue to work from home, to not return to the workplace on May 14.

Mann expects to announce some details of the city’s reopening plans on Friday.

But she’s still waiting to hear where certain municipal services — such as libraries — fit into the province’s plans for staged reopenings.

While city transit service continues to operate at reduced hours, and less frequently, for now, Mann said city officials will keep an eye on whether demand for the service increases as more stores and restaurants reopen.

Transit will be re-expanded when more people need to ride the bus, she added.



lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.com

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