Another recreational facility in the northern capital is getting ready to reopen next month after COVID-19 kept it closed for more than five months.
Swimming slots will be up for registration at Prince George Aquatic Centre 9 a.m. on Monday (Aug. 31) as the public will be able to return to use the amenities as early as Sept. 8, 2020, but under certain restrictions.
In addition to a maximum of 50 people inside the building, 40 visitors and 10 staff members, interested users must book a time online in advance through the city’s website.
According to Director of Public Safety Adam Davey, this is highly encouraged as it helps reduce the potential spread of the virus.
“We already have the registration system set that allows us to contact-trace with Northern Health when we need to, and we already have the maximum limit of 50,” he said during a media tour of the Aquatic Centre today (Aug. 28).
“So really the new public health order and the updates to viaSport really doesn’t have any further impact to the Aquatic Centre then we had already planned.”
On July 27, Prince George city council voted unanimously to reopen the Aquatic Centre and Kin Arenas to help offset 2020 budget deficit and provide a service for local residents.
Masks will be only required for patrons to wear in the hallways to the changing rooms and inside the changing room.
They do not, however, have to be worn in the lobby or in the pool area as distancing will be required for guests when using the facility.
The maximum number of people allowed in a certain amenity are as follows:
- 43 = 2x25-metre swimming pool
- 35 = Leisure pool
- Three = Hot tub, five minutes each person
- One = Flowing river
Prince George is opening its Aquatic Centre for registration on Monday (Aug. 31) for a limit of 40 visitors (10 staff for 50 max.). City is encouraging self-education when using the facilities as masks won’t be needed in certain areas | #CityOfPG @PGMatters pic.twitter.com/3hyy0pvNMC
— Kyle Balzer (@KyleBalzer) August 28, 2020
The one-metre diving board will be open for use, but the leisure pool’s waves won’t be used in an effort to maintain physical distancing and the three-, five- and 10-metre diving platforms won’t be in use due to the pool’s new set up.
While staff will be on hand to help control the number of people using a certain pool, Aquatic Centre Manager Jim Worthington says the public’s help will also be needed in terms of keeping COVID-19 safety protocols at the surface.
“There’ll be a lot of education at the beginning for people to get into the habit of how [the pools and hot tub] works,” he said, noting that public aqua-fit programs and swim classes won’t be offered when the pool reopens, but the frequent visitors, including senior swimmers, appear to be okay with that.
“It’s been good so far,” Worthington explained when asked by PrinceGeorgeMatters.
“I haven't had any negative feedback from that at all yet. I think they understand it’s kind of a slow start and we can’t be all things to all people at the beginning. [...] They’re really happy that the river is still open; they can’t go all in together though. They’ll have to wait.”
Worthington is asking Prince George families, especially those bringing kids for a swim, should be aware of social distancing in the pools.
“If kids [or other people] are coming together, they will need to keep their distance. And that’s what lifeguards are here for,” he said
“All of our training for lifeguards starts next week. There’s been a lot of changes with the life-saving society and first-aid procedures. They, themselves, need to understand the COVID processes with distancing and when to wear a mask and when not to. Lifeguards aren’t required to wear a mask out on the pool deck, but if they feel more comfortable wearing a mask, they certainly can.”
Guests are required to bring in the printed confirmation page with a barcode once they’ve booked a time to swim via the city’s website.
The Aquatic Centre says phone and in-person bookings are also available starting Sept. 8, but an account is still needed so online registration is preferred, noting the pool’s high-traffic times include the mornings, evenings and weekends.
Patrons will sanitize their hands before walking into the building and, if you don’t have a face mask, PPE will be provided at the front desk before entering a changing room.
Much like the Kin Arenas, you’re also encouraged to come to the Aquatic Centre with swimming gear on underneath your clothes for quick transition.
“There are barriers in the change rooms for distancing, so you can change on either side,” said Worthington.
“We have markers on the floor, which help space people out and our lockers are spaced out too.”
Masks will then be taken off when you enter the pool area, placed in a provided plastic bag and put in a numbered cubby.
A ‘road’ has been created and marked for swimmers to follow when moving around from amenity to amenity.
For more information, you can visit the City of Prince George’s Aquatic Centre page.
Masks 😷⬇️
— Kyle Balzer (@KyleBalzer) August 28, 2020
Face covering required in hallways & change-rooms.
Face covering NOT required in lobby, pool areas or the shower.
Visitors will sanitize hands before entering the Aquatic Centre & masks will be provided if they don’t have one 🧼 | #CityOfPG pic.twitter.com/7hAApTHQ1C
