COVID-19 response Council will not close arena, aquatic centre; people must pre-book

By Rob Vogt, Local Press Writer
People will still be able to use the Claresholm Arena and Aquatic Centre, but only through pre-bookings, in an effort to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Claresholm town council convened a special meeting via video conference on Wednesday, Nov. 25, in the wake of new restrictions announced by the provincial government.
Those restrictions meant the Claresholm Curling Club, Seniors’ Drop-in Centre, and Community Centre are or remain closed; and the Claresholm Public Library is open to a maximum of 25 per cent its capacity.
Council also recommended masks be worn in all indoor public spaces.
That left the matter of whether to close the arena and aquatic centre.
Marian Carlson, the town’s chief administrative officer, gave an overview of all the health restrictions to prevent the spread, including a prohibition on all indoor social gatherings; a limit of 10 people on outdoor gatherings; a limit of 10 people for weddings and funerals with no receptions allowed; a restriction in places of worship to one-third of occupancy; Grade 7 to 12 students moving to at-home learning as of Nov. 30; Kindergarten to Grade 6 students staying with in-person learning to Dec. 18; and varying restrictions on businesses from closure, to reduced occupancy to 25 per cent, to by appointment only.
After that overview she said administration was looking for input on what to do with the arena and aquatic centre.
“I’d like to see the facilities left open,” said Mayor Doug MacPherson, adding there is little enough for people to do already so it would by nice to at least book a time to skate or swim.
Coun. Mike Cutler said one concern he had was who would enforce the rules on he ice at the arena.
MacPherson said at the pool it was the lifeguards, so it could be the staff at the arena.
Cutler was also concerned there were no groups allowed, yet the town would be allowing eight people in the pool at one time for activities such as open fitness.
Those people would not be a group but social distanced, it was pointed out.
MacPherson said there will be no organized games. Instead people will book times for the arena and the town will have staff at the door, same as the pool.
Carlson cautioned there are always those looking for loopholes in the rules.
“If it becomes too much of a struggle, I guess we close everything,” MacPherson said.