A spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in Martensville in mid-November has prompted city officials to temporarily suspend recreation programs and close facilities.
The suspension is expected to last until at least the beginning of December, according to Martensville Recreation and Community Services Director Ted Schaeffer.
“It’s still open-ended, but we’re looking at re-opening December 1 if the situation allows,” said Schaeffer in an interview November 18. “We’re working with our user groups to deal with this ongoing issue. The first step is to take a pause and make sure everyone is safe. We’re evaluating the situation on a daily basis.”
The closure of all recreation facilities and programming takes effect at one minute after midnight on Thursday, November 19.
The temporary closure is in effect for the Martensville Sports Centre, Heritage Centre, North Ridge Centre, and school spaces that host civic programs. However, administrative buildings including City Hall, the Civic Centre and Martensville Wheatland Regional Library branch remain open.
In addition, the Martensville Athletic Pavilion (MAP) track and fitness area will remain available; however, gym areas in the MAP are closed off, with gym bookings and open gym times no longer available.
Schaeffer said the decision on Monday, November 16 by the Martensville Minor Hockey Association (MMHA) executive to pause all games and practices until December 1 was a major factor in the city-wide closure of recreation facilities.
“When Martensville Minor Hockey made the call to pause operations for a few weeks, that put the spotlight on the issue,” said Schaeffer. “We had actually gotten word from some other user groups that they were going to take a similar approach.
“We had heard from the figure skating club that they were concerned,” he added. “Those are our two major user groups for the rink, and if they suspended operations, there would be very little activity at the rink anyway.”
Schaeffer said the city administration recommended to council that programs and facilities be suspended to coincide with the time frame proposed by the MMHA. There was a consensus among councillors to follow that recommendation.
“Council agreed that ceasing activities at this point in order to do our part to contribute to managing COVID-19 is a good idea,” said Schaeffer. “The user groups are taking proactive steps and we want to be responsible and respectful to the community. We need to work together on this.”
Schaeffer said health care professionals in Martensville had brought their concerns about the rise in cases of COVID-19 in the city to civic officials as well. That was also a major factor in the decision.
He noted that no civic staff have been laid off.
“There’s plenty of other work that needs to be done,” said Schaeffer. “Right now the focus is on clearing snow.”
Schaeffer said the Martensville Curling Club will make the call on whether the curling club facility stays open.
Meanwhile, it’s still ‘business as usual’ at recreation facilities in the City of Warman.
At least, as usual as it can be under the restrictive public health care regulations now in effect province-wide, according to Warman Recreation and Community Events Supervisor Coralie Bueckert.
“Right now, our facilities and programs are still operating,” said Bueckert in an interview at mid-day on Wednesday, November 18. “But that could change at any time. We’re continually monitoring the situation, keeping tabs on government announcements and following public health protocols.
“It’s a very fluid situation and we’re taking things day by day.”
Bueckert said user groups in Warman, including minor hockey and figure skating associations, have not suggested they are looking to pause their operations at this point.
“But if they decide to go that route we can accommodate them.”
Bueckert said the city is relying on increased signage and other measures to ensure physical distancing and mask use. She said educating the public on health protocols is the best way to reduce the spread of the virus.