Several businesses in the Legends Centre will continue to see reduced rental charges until the end of July.
Warman City Council voted unanimously at a meeting on Monday, April 26 to authorize city administration to adjust the leases of Subway, Booster Juice, Twinses and KB Sports to reflect a decrease in the amount of 50% of the contract rate. The lower rates, first authorized last winter, will continue for the months of May, June and July.
City Council will review the rates in late July and determine at that time if the lower rates will continue; and if so, for how long.
It all depends on COVID-19 public health guidelines.
In a report to the April 26 Warman City Council meeting, Warman Recreation and Community Services Director Paul McGonigal said businesses in the city-owned recreation complex which do not have separate entrances, are feeling the pinch.
“Discussions with the lease operators have indicated that business is very slow due to the limited foot traffic,” said McGonigal. “The lessees have requested to extend the rental relief for the months of May to July.”
Two food services operations in the building, Booster Juice and Twinses, are currently operating, but with much-reduced patronage.
Subway, meanwhile, has temporarily closed due to the lack of foot traffic. However, the operation is expected to open again once lacrosse and ball hockey resume activities.
KB Sports has also closed and is expected to reopen in September.
One new lessee, Top Shelf Sports, was scheduled to open for business February 1, 2021, but has requested to not set an opening date until changes have been made to the COVID-19 regulations resulting in an increase in traffic.
The food service lessee at the Warman Diamond Rodeo Arena is no longer operating the concession at the facility, but is paying $25 per month to the city for cooler space for her product.
Other privately-owned businesses in the Legends Centre, including fitness facilities and physiotherapy clinics, have separate entrances. The impact of the public health guidelines on these businesses is not as severe. Consequently, their lease rates remain at the regular level.