The Municipality of Sioux Lookout continues to reopen from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Toddler and preschool programming has resumed at the Biidaaban Children’s Centre.
Service will be available between 8:00am and 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.
Families requiring childcare service are encouraged to contact Biidaaban at 737-4570.
Kids and parents will be screened at the main entrance and children will be monitored for the virus throughout the day.
Strict health standards will also be in place.
Manager of Corporate Services Brian MacKinnon says the Sioux Mountain Children’s Centre will remain closed until further notice, due to staffing limitations.
Sioux Lookout will also begin opening up facilities within the Recreation Centre in early August.
MacKinnon says you will be required to wear a mask when entering the building and must check-in at the Front Desk.
The hours of operation are expected to be 6:00am to 5:00pm, likely starting the second or third week of August (no evenings or weekends).
The current hours for the Reception Desk are 8:00am to 4:30pm and all hours will be reviewed weekly.
Brian MacKinnon stresses they are taking a gradual approach when reopening next month.
“Just to ensure that the procedures that we’ve put in place are working and are being responsive to the needs of the community. We thought that by taking the gradual approach we can sort of test each area first and make sure that their aren’t any issues that need to be addressed before opening everything all at once.”
MacKinnon says he knows people are anxious to return and he thanks everyone for their patience.
Here is what you need to know for the Sioux Lookout Recreation Centre:
-Memorial Arena: will remain closed for at least the month of August.
-Track: the walking track above the gymnasium will open in August, and providing everyone respects physical distancing, a mask will not need to be worn if walking along the track (but may be worn if the user so chooses). There will be absolutely no running. A Spin bike and two work out stations will also be available along the walking track.
-Squash Courts: will be opening during the month of August, with the following restrictions: maximum of two people permitted in the court area at any given time, court times will be in 45-minute increments, and there will be a 45-minute interval between each booking to allow sufficient time for sanitizing/disinfecting.
-Weight and Cardio Rooms: will be opening during the month of August, also. Each piece of equipment will have a perimeter around it (established by tape on the floor), masks will NOT need to be worn when within the “no mask zone” (but may be worn if the user(s) feels more comfortable) – however, masks must be worn at all other times, including going from one piece of equipment to another. Additional disinfectant and sanitizing materials will be available for the public to use.
-Gymnasium: will remain closed for the month of August, with the exception of Monday and Wednesday mornings to accommodate a maximum of 12 individuals wishing to play pickle ball.
-Change Rooms: will be available for limited use. Masks must be worn at all times in the change rooms, and showers will not be available during the month of August and possibly longer.
-Sauna: will remain closed until provincial government restrictions are lifted.
-Memberships: we understand that people haven’t been able to use their memberships for the last several months. As was stated at the outset, Memberships that were in effect from the date of closure of our facilities to the public, will be extended for the duration of the closure. Individuals with Memberships must contact the Recreation Centre during the month of August to arrange for this extension. Failure to contact the Recreation Centre to
extend your membership will negate the possibility of extension. For anyone who is currently feeling uncomfortable returning to the Recreation Centre at this time, please contact the Front Desk staff to advise of such, and your Membership will be put “on hold” for up to 60 days (note, it will not be extended longer than the period during which our facilities were closed, but we are willing to put a “freeze” on the membership for up to 60 days, after which users would be expected to return to using their Memberships, and the extension to the membership due to the earlier closure would come into effect at that time. Again, these arrangements must be made between August 14th and September 14th.
