City re-evaluating recreation facilities plan

ATB AND ENMAX CENTRES WILL BE OPEN

The City of Lethbridge is reevaluating the plan announced Friday for recreation and culture facilities to allow one-on-one training and limited team sport training to resume.

Following an evaluation of the new Step 1 guidelines, the City will maintain ice at ATB Centre, working directly with community groups who are permitted to run this training. The Enmax Centre will also remain open to support the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Western Hockey League.

All other city arenas, and pools operated by Recreation Excellence, will remain closed for now.

“Since Step 1 guidelines only allow one-one-one training opportunities and easing of current restrictions to the broader public could be months away, we have made the difficult decision to keep many of our facilities closed,” says Robin Harper, General Manager of Recreation and Culture, City of Lethbridge.

“The operational costs to keep these facilities open is not feasible given the current restrictions.”

Pools and arenas have been closed to the public since Dec. 8. Community groups such as minor hockey, figure skating and other team sports, have not been permitted on the ice or in pools since Nov. 12.

“This has been an incredible difficult time for all the staff who work in our recreation and culture area, including our staff in the facilities,” says Harper.

“Typically these folks are enjoying one of the busiest parts of the season, interacting with residents and bringing recreation opportunities to the community every day.

“This year, we’ve had to enforce rules that the public often didn’t understand and unfortunately deny kids and families the activities that they love. We understand the importance of these closures but it has been disheartening just the same.”

City facilities that will be evaluated for re-opening include Recreation Excellence operated pools, Fritz Sick gymnasium, and the Yates Memorial Theatre.

Due to the variation in public health guidelines, the public is encouraged to reach out to other facilities such as Helen Schuler Nature Centre, YMCA, Lethbridge Library, Casa, Galt Museum, and Multicultural Centre, should they have specific questions about their programming and reopening plans.