Most indoor recreation facilities operated by the City of Red Deer will remain closed regardless of the province’s decision to allow gyms to reopen in a limited capacity on Feb. 8.
Only Kinsmen Community Arenas will reopen by the city for limited one-on-one training.
Recreation superintendent Barb McKee said with Step 1 on Feb. 8, the province will only loosen the ability to provide one-on-one, or one to one household training, with a professional trainer or coach. The majority of activities in city facilities are not one-on-one.
“When you think about how people typically use our recreation facilities to go to a public swim, or lane swim, or go work out on a piece of cardio equipment or weight lift, walk on the track, climb — those are all independent activities without a leader or trainer, which are currently not allowed,” McKee said.
She said reopening spaces, like the Collicutt Centre, for one-on-one activities, is also cost prohibitive.
“We’ve had lots of inquiry, people wanting interpretation of what is allowed.
“We see lots of opportunity with Step 2, which if everything goes according to the time line, is as early as March 1 to be able to get back to some of what the community was accustomed to prior to Christmas.”
Related:
Red Deer set to close all indoor city recreation facilities until mid-January
Kenney lifts some COVID-19 restrictions, reopens restaurants and gyms Feb. 8
The following facilities and amenities remain open: speed skating oval at Setters Place (for activity reservations only), outdoor rinks, parks and trails.
“With 77 different ice surfaces in Red Deer, we lead the way when it comes to outdoor ice,” McKee said.
Public health measures are in place for outdoor amenities, which include limiting outdoor social gatherings to 10 people, physically distancing, and wearing masks when a two-metre distance cannot be maintained between a household and others.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter