HRM recreation programs to return with tweaks

The Halifax Regional Municipality is bringing back all its winter recreation programs in 2021, but they'll see some tweaks due to COVID-19.

The municipality's recreation programming in winter 2021 will include dryland and aquatics programs. Yoga, swimming and basketball are among the offerings.

“In keeping with the most recent public health guidelines, winter recreation programming is expected to return across the municipality in January of 2021,” said Sherri Moffatt, HRM area manager in recreation programming, in an email statement.

With health and safety top of mind, HRM has implemented “several new COVID-19 program guidelines” to help stop the spread of COVID-19, according to Moffatt.

For one, participants must sanitize their hands and be wearing a mask upon entering and leaving a recreation facility. They must also wear masks whenever leaving a program area, such as when they go to the washroom and enter hallways.

Participants will be allowed to enter the building 10 minutes before the start of their program and must leave immediately at the end of their program.

If their registered program is a physical activity, participants can take their masks after they have entered the program space. Otherwise, they must wear a mask.

All program class sizes are being "adjusted to cohort sizes" aligned with the Nova Scotia Health Authority's guidelines. Programs will have the same number of participants for a set number of weeks in each cohort.

Physical distancing is “strongly encouraged” when possible. In programs with larger participation, there will be physical distancing markers in place and participants will be advised of the restrictions and guidelines that impact each program.

For aquatics programs, instructors will be maintaining physical distancing from the participants whenever possible, both in the water and on deck.

Children who are 12 years old and younger can be accompanied by one guardian if needed, who is permitted to drop off and pick up their child within the facility. Children ages 13 years and older are encouraged to enter and exit the recreation facility without a guardian.

Participants not following the COVID-19 rules can be removed from their program.

“We recognize the need for activities which improve our overall physical and mental health. The goal is to provide recreation services which allow residents to get active, be healthy and stay safe this winter season,” said Moffatt.

A full list of COVID-19 program guidelines can be found online at halifax.ca/recreation/ programs-activities/onlinerecreation-services.

To ensure physical distancing and other COVID-19 measures are maintained, the number of participant spaces for recreation programs have been adjusted to adhere to the NSHA guidelines, “based on the activity type and physical size of the program space,” Moffatt noted.

“Although the number of available registration spaces will be reduced for some programs, and COVID-19 safety protocols will be implemented, the municipality expects to offer the same programs that have historically been offered throughout the region each winter,” she said.

People can log into their halifax.ca/myrec account to view the capacity of each program.

Registration for all dryland programs is slated to begin at 10 a.m. on Jan. 6 and registration for skating and aquatics programs will begin Jan. 7.

The Emera Oval is expected to open for skating on Jan. 4, weather and ice conditions permitting. There will be reduced capacity and skaters must pre-register for free public skate times two days in advance.

Free equipment loans, including skates and helmets, will be available in limited quantities for skating at the Oval.

Residents can either register for the different winter recreation programs online, by phone at 902-490-6666, or in person at walk-in centres.

For more information, people can visit halifax.ca/myrec.