The following outdoor recreation facilities are reopening for public use
today with restrictions in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- Public playground equipment in Ponoka
- Hamilton’s Skate Park
- Town-owned tennis courts (located beside the Ponoka Aquaplex)
- Outdoor fitness park (located across from the Scout Hall on 46A Street Close)
Public health orders and directives posted at each location
Signage has been posted at each location outlining provincial health orders and directives to be followed by individuals who use the facilities. The public health orders that must be followed include keeping a two-metre distance from others who don’t live in the same household and not entering the area with COVID-19 symptoms. Facility users are also advised to use hand sanitizer immediately before and after using outdoor recreation equipment as the hard surfaces on this equipment pose a risk for virus transmission.
Rules of play have also been posted at the tennis courts to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus (based on input from public health authorities and in consultation with Tennis Alberta and Pickleball Alberta representatives), including the following:
- Only singles play is permitted (doubles play is permitted for those living in the same household);
- Players are encouraged to pass the ball with their paddle, racquet or feet as much as possible to
- minimize touching the ball with their hands; and
- Players should bring their own hand sanitizer and clean their hands immediately before and
- after play.
READ MORE: Pickleball a growing sport
The Town of Ponoka thanks citizens for their continued diligence in following provincial health directives
and physical distancing requirements to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
“It’s very important that our citizens continue to follow the physical distancing requirements when using these outdoor recreation facilities so that we can continue to see restrictions eased back,” said Andrew Jones, Town of Ponoka Recreation Coordinator.
“We strongly encourage people to follow the physical distancing rules of keeping a two-metre distance from those who don’t live in their household. If we start receiving reports of individuals not following the public health orders, we may be forced to close some of these outdoor facilities again which is something we really don’t want to do,” explained Jones.
He noted that while Alberta public health orders limit the number of people who can gather together outdoors to 50 individuals, the Ponoka Skate Park won’t safely accommodate that many people with physical distancing rules in place.
Splash Park, Aquaplex and arena remain closed
The Ponoka Splash Park, the Ponoka Aquaplex and the Ponoka Culture and Recreation Centre (Arena) remain closed to public use in keeping with provincial health directives.
Under Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy, these facilities fall under Phase 3 of the reopening process.
For more information on the Town of Ponoka’s response to COVID-19, please visit the town website at www. ponoka.ca.
If you have questions, please phone the Town Office at 403-783-4431.
For more information on Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy, please visit https://www.alberta.ca/albertarelaunch-
strategy.aspx.
For guidance and support for businesses preparing to reopen and resume operations safely, please go to
https://www.alberta.ca/biz-connect.aspx.
- Submitted by the Town of Ponoka