The Municipality of Sioux Lookout is reopening from the COVID-19 shutdown.
The Municipal Office, Airport Administration Building, Emergency Services/By-law Enforcement Department, and Public Works Garage are all open.
Daily hours of operation for the public will be from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
If you aren’t making a quick trip to pay a bill, you must call ahead and book an appointment with the individual you are planning to see.
The Sioux Lookout Recreation Centre and Memorial Arena is also open to the public from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. daily.
You must sign-in at the Front Desk and be screened for COVID-19.
If you are planning to use the Weight and Cardio Rooms, you must make an appointment in advance.
The Gym will reopen for pickle ball only and you must contact the Rec Centre to schedule a time.
Masks are required for entry into any municipal building and visitors will be asked to self-screen.
Chief Administrative Officer Michelle Larose says, “We are eager to welcome the public back to our facilities, but we do ask that all of the restrictions and requirements for admittance are followed, so that we can do our part to reduce the likelihood of transmission of COVID-19, thereby protecting our staff and visitors to our facilities.”
Here is a rundown on restrictions at the Rec Centre/Memorial Arena:
Memorial Arena
-Will return to regular operating hours, as per prior to the shutdown.
Track
-The walking track above the gymnasium will reopen, 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 reopening, 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 reopening as well, however, appointments must be made in advance to book the room and equipment. 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 reopen for pickle ball only. Please contact Rec Centre for schedule. Maximum of 12 individuals wishing to play pickle ball can be accommodated.
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 at this time.
Sauna
-Will remain closed at this time.
Memberships
-Officials 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 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.
