ATHABASCA — As of Aug. 17, the Athabasca Regional Multiplex entered Step 2 of its pandemic relaunch and has seen an increase in people using the swimming pool specifically.
Multiplex manager Kelsea Brown presented a report to representatives from the Town of Athabasca and Athabasca County at the Aug. 24 Athabasca Regional Multiplex Society (ARMS) meeting noting aqua fit and deep and shallow water fitness had resumed that day.
“We're seeing an increase in numbers; like right now (during the meeting) we have 36 people swimming so that’s really good,” Brown said.
ARMS chair, Athabasca town Coun. Rob Balay noted that even with the reopening, user numbers are consequently down due to the pandemic, but it does not seem to be reflected in staffing costs.
“Our numbers are significantly down obviously; they're probably almost 70 per cent down," he said. "I was expecting it to be lower for the pool than it is because of that. It's maybe only $50,000 less than what it would it normally have been at this time,” Balay said.
Brown said that regardless of the low number of people there needs to be three staff on duty whether there is one person in the pool or 50.
“Right now, we have three staff that have full attention to the pool for circulating like lifeguards or junior lifeguards and shift leaders. We always have to have three because with how they rotate in and out, we need those numbers,” Brown said, adding there is no need for another staff member until 70 users at once.
She also said it would probably be early fall before there would be a better understanding of how many users will be taking advantage of the various parts of the Multiplex. Use of the facility by Edwin Parr School students and changes to minor hockey will also have an impact on hours of operation.
“I've been talking with EPC as far as what requirements we have of them for that process and it would be separate entrance and exit, exit sanitizing and upon entry, bringing all their own equipment, things like that. We purchased sanitizing backpacks to help make sure all of our equipment is safe and to save time on staffing,” she said.
The ice will also be going in four weeks later than usual due to the changes by various sporting bodies in reaction to the pandemic.
“We plan to put our ice in September 28. We have usage schedules between minor hockey and the skating club and we're just trying to work with those now to make sure that all the hours are covered. Our weekends look slow so, I'd be offering that to the rec hockey groups and public skating and maybe birthday parties or whatever options we may have there,” said Brown.
Heather Stocking, TownandCountryToday.com
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