The City of Edmonton is turning the taps back on at four indoor swimming pools on July 20, but swimmers will be required to reserve a time slot online prior to visiting.
The pools scheduled to reopen include Clareview Community Recreation Centre, Jasper Place, Bonnie Doon Leisure Centre and the Kinsmen Sports Centre’s warm-up/teach pool.
Recreation centre staff members are making a number of changes to comply with COVID-19 public health recommendations. Online booking will allow the city to facilitate social distancing by limiting the number of swimmers in the pool at one time.
The city is also implementing one-way traffic flows at pool entrances and exits, extra cleaning protocols in public areas and capping lane swims to one person per lane. Lane swims will be capped at 30 minutes per person so the city can accommodate as many swimmers as possible safely. Getting ready for the pool will look a lot different too.
“We’re really asking people to come dressed in their swim attire as our locker rooms will only be for use on the way out,” said Shauna Graham, acting director of Leisure Centres and Outdoor Pools. “We will provide you with a big bin on the way in to disrobe and put your belongings into and bring them out on to the pool deck.”
Hot tubs and saunas will remain closed until Phase 3 of Alberta’s relaunch strategy and outdoor pools will not open in 2020. Alberta Health suggests patrons wear masks on the pool deck and other parts of the facility but not in the water because it poses a safety risk.
“With our restricted numbers, with our one-way traffic through the facility, with the quick in-and-out through the change rooms, our enhanced cleaning, we really feel we can do this safely for the citizens of Edmonton,” Graham said.
Registration is now open for one-on-one swimming lessons. Patrons can book their lesson, a time slot for open swim and check out new pricing for recreation centres at edmonton.ca/reccentres.
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