ATHABASCA – As of Aug. 17, the Athabasca Regional Multiplex moved to Step 2 of its COVID-19 relaunch plan with the ending of pods in the fitness area and zones in the pool.
Posted on the Multiplex website Aug. 10, the three-page document outlined the new relaxed rules that included the start of swimming lessons and aqua fit. Many rules will remain in place, like showing up ready to swim or work out, but more people will be able to occupy the space.
“Our goal has been to have a measured and cautious approach to reopening. We've been very happy with the public's response to date, which has allowed us to reach the next step ahead of time,” said Town of Athabasca Coun. Rob Balay, who chairs the Multiplex society.
Step 1 had the fitness room divided into pods with a limit on how many people were allowed in a pod. They had to be in a cohort to share a pod and could only use the equipment assigned to the pod they booked. Now, there will be a limit of 10 people in the fitness area and all equipment is available for use. Social distancing of three metres – one metre farther than in other areas – is still required.
As for the pool, the different zones will disappear and up to 50 people can be in the aquatic centre. Again, social distancing and staying within your cohort is still encouraged.
Multiplex users still have to phone ahead and book a time to use any area in the facility, the lines on the floor will still be in place and people are discouraged from using washrooms, showers and water fountains.
The new rules also allow for a user to have up to four advance bookings and no more than two for any day.
Deep and shallow water fitness will resume on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting Aug. 24 and will run in two-week sessions with a maximum of 15 pre-registered swimmers. Drop-ins will only be allowed only if there are not 15 registered.
Up to 30 people will be allowed during each time slot of Open Water Fitness using the aqua bikes or aqua poles. During lane swimming, all lanes will be open with a maximum of two cohorted people per lane.
Swimming lessons also started Aug. 17 and will be offered privately or in a cohort of four and parents are not allowed to stay in the dry seating area. Lessons will be 30 minutes and offered over two weeks on alternate days for five lessons.
“It's laid out on the Multiplex website as to what this next phase is,” Balay said.
The Fieldhouse is still divided into thirds and will be running Pickle Ball Mondays and Thursdays; volleyball Tuesdays and Fridays; and badminton Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays in the centre third.
Basketball is available daily on the south third and hockey and soccer in the north third daily.
More information is available https://athabascamultiplex.ca/ and bookings can be made by calling 780-675-2967.
Heather Stocking, TownandCountryToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @HLSox
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