Town closes all playgrounds in response to threat

By Rob Vogt
Local Press Writer
The Town of Claresholm has closed all playgrounds to the public as part of its effort to curb the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus.
At its March 23 meeting, Claresholm town council Mayor Doug MacPherson raised the issue of closing playgrounds after a presentation by Jason Hemmaway, the town’s director of emergency management, updating council’s on the town’s COVID-19 response.
MacPherson said other towns are shutting down their playgrounds.
“I’m fully in favour,” said Coun. Brad Schlossberger.
“It makes sense,” MacPherson continued, noting other municipalities are doing it, even the Municipal District of Ranchland which is rural.
Hemmaway said it had been discussed at the committee level.
“You can’t disinfect a playground,” he said.
“I think we have to protect our citizens,” MacPherson said.
He suggested moving forward by phoning the school.
Hemmaway explained the Livingstone Range School Division closed the school playground in Nanton after the Town of Nanton closed their’s and requested the school division to do so as well.
He said the town just needed to contact the school division.
MacPherson also said the exercise equipment in parks also needed to be closed.
“We can’t disinfect it,” he said.
Hemmaway said they would be closed with caution tape put around the equipment.
That occurred the following day, on March 24.