Skateboarders can get things rolling this weekend in Okotoks.
In response to the Alberta Government’s relaunch strategy, the first stage of the Town of Okotoks’ relaunch plan for public amenities begins Victoria Day long weekend — and skateboarding is the first one out of the gate.
Stage one includes re-opening the following amenities and facilities, with health and safety measures in place, as well as continued adherence to physical distance rules:
- Skateboard park: re-opening on May 16 with physical distancing protocols in place.
- Sport courts (Wilson and Tower Hill Courts): re-opening the week of May 25, 2020, once maintenance and resurfacing of Wilson Courts is complete. Non-league singles tennis with conditions or pickleball will be permitted. Non-league doubles with members outside the same household are not allowed.
- Municipal Centre: re-opening on June 15, 2020. Until this time, service continues to be offered via phone, email and online.
- Okotoks Art Gallery: re-opening on June 16, 2020 with physical distancing protocols in place.
- Okotoks Museum and Archives: re-opening on June 16, 2020 with physical distancing protocols in place.
- BMX track: the BMX Bike Club is anticipating opening on July 2, 2020.
Parks, natural areas, pathways and the off-leash dog park continue to be open with physical distancing. All playing fields and diamonds are closed for any organized team games or activities; however, they are open for non-organized, passive use only, with appropriate physical distancing and sharing of equipment only with members of the same household.
All outdoor amenities will follow the guidelines outlined in the Alberta Government’s Outdoor Recreation document when they reopen.
“While the Town is putting measures in place to ensure the public can use these amenities safely, members of the public also need to be vigilant in continuing to follow the guidelines, stick to recreating with members of their household and ensuring physical distance is maintained,” said Kelly Stienwand, Okotoks’ director of emergency management. “We all need to do our part to continue to protect one another. As we have seen, situations can change quickly and if there is a surge in COVID-19 cases, we could see access to these amenities change.”
The list of Town amenities that remain closed include:
· All public playground structures, outdoor exercise equipment and public washrooms, due to the frequency of sanitization requirements and large number of structures to maintain.
· All Town indoor recreation facilities, which are not allowed to open until at least stage 3 of the provincial relaunch strategy, with no specified date at this time.
· The Water Spray Park, which is not expected to open this summer.
· The Rotary Performing Arts Centre and the Okotoks Public Library, which are not allowed to open until Stage 2 of the provincial relaunch strategy, and there is no specified date at this time.
Skateboarders are urged to wear the proper safety equipment.
(Story courtesy of Town of Okotoks)
