June 7, 2021
The City of Edmonton will begin a phased reopening of recreation facilities and attractions over the course of June as we move to Stage 2 of Alberta’s
Open for Summer plan on June 10.
“We are pleased to begin reopening our services and facilities that support the mental and physical well-being of Edmontonians,” said Roger Jevne, Manager, Community and Recreation Facilities Branch. “We will stay vigilant in following public health orders through June, but we are excited that when we move into Stage 3, likely sometime in July, we can return to providing programs and services that start to rebuild the social connections we’ve all been missing.”
As permitted in Stage 2 of the provincial plan, the City will begin a phased reopening of facilities, programs and services following all of the provincial public health orders and protocols.
COVID Safety protocols
The following COVID safety protocols will be in place at all City of Edmonton-operated facilities as required for Stage 2 of the provincial reopening plan:
- All facilities will be limited to 33 percent of fire code capacity. Each facility has a different fire code limit based on its size.
- We will return to reserved time slots to access facilities. Reserve a time slot at MoveLearnPlay.edmonton.ca.
- Face coverings are mandatory at all facilities including indoor and outdoor spaces at the zoo and Heritage Amphitheater. We are accepting exemption letters from a physician, nurse practitioner or psychologist for those who are unable to wear a face covering as a result of a medical condition as outlined by the Government of Alberta.
- Physical distancing will be required at all facilities, 3 metres for all recreation centres and 2 metres for all other facilities.
- Equipment in fitness centres will be set three metres apart.
- Regular cleanings will take place throughout the day and deep cleanings in the evenings.
Facility reopenings
June 10-13
- Clareview, Commonwealth, Terwillegar and The Meadows community recreation centres. Fitness centres and gyms will reopen on June 10 for individual use and fitness programs.
- Registration for timed entry to these facilities will open on June 9 through MoveLearnPlay.edmonton.ca.
- Kinsmen Sports Centre will reopen on June 10 for individual use of the fitness centre and fieldhouse. Registration for timed entry will open on June 9. The aquatic centre will open for use only by sport user groups.
- Indoor spaces at the Edmonton Valley Zoo, including Makira Outpost, Urban Farm and Saito Centre, will reopen on June 10.
- The Muttart Conservatory will reopen on June 11 to the public after its closure for rehabilitation work that concluded in late 2020 and because of public health restrictions in 2021. Book your timed entry on MoveLearnPlay.edmonton.ca.
- 16 City arenas will reopen with either ice surfaces or concrete areas for youth and adult sport and training groups.
- The outdoor spray pad at The Meadows Community Recreation Centre as part of the opening of spray parks.
- Indoor fitness amenity use and program in facilities will resume. To learn what programs are available and to register, visit MoveLearnPlay.edmonton.ca.
- Indoor rental spaces (e.g. Yorath House) will be available for events that are permitted under the public health orders, such as weddings. The limit for indoor gatherings will be 20 people. Information on rental spaces is available at edmonton.ca.
- The Heritage Amphitheater will reopen for bookings on June 11.
Week of June 14-20
- Queen Elizabeth, Fred Broadstock and Oliver outdoor pools will open for the season.
- Kinsmen Sports Centre Aquatic Centre will open for individual use.
- St. Francis Xavier Sports Centre will open for sport user groups along with individual and group personal training, based on demand.
- The City of Edmonton Archives in the Prince of Wales Armouries will reopen for in-person visits.
- Commonwealth Stadium, Clarke Stadium will reopen.
- The City Hall Fountain will reopen on June 15.
July
- Registration for summer day camps is now open with camps beginning on July 5, depending on the start date for Stage 3 of the provincial government’s reopening plan. Register at MoveLearnPlay.edmonton.ca.
- Summer playground programming (Green Shacks) will now open on July 12 running seven weeks to August 27. These free drop-in programs are held in communities across the city.
- The City continues to work through its plans for Canada Day fireworks. A decision will be announced in mid-June.
The City will continue to offer more programs and services and reopen more facilities and amenities over the coming weeks as we continue to recall staff and ensure facilities are ready for Edmontonians to use.
“We appreciate that some people will want us to reopen more quickly as they are eager to return to their regular activities,” said Jevne. “We are phasing the reopening of facilities to ensure they are ready for Edmontonians. With many of our buildings closed for some time we must recall staff on temporary layoff and ensure facilities are ready for the public.”
Staff recall
The City is expecting to recall up to 1,300 recreation facility and attractions staff who are still on temporary layoff because of the closures of facilities due to provincial health restrictions.
Recall notices have already gone out to staff and the process of bringing them back to work will be completed as facilities continue to reopen over the summer and fall.
