The Town of Ponoka is preparing to reopen town recreational facilities and the town office, although exact dates and details are still to come.
The move to reopen comes after the provincial government’s announcement earlier this week that Phase II of the relaunch strategy was moved up to June 12 and would include items that were previously slotted for Phase III, such as recreational facilities.
“Safety remains our top priority,” said Albert Flootman, chief administrative officer for the Town of Ponoka, in a news release dated June 11.
“We are working hard to put a plan in place that balances our desire to reopen town facilities as soon as reasonably possible while also carefully planning how to best implement provincial health orders and directives in order to protect the health and safety of the public and our employees, and to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
Town office
The town office will reopen to the public on Monday, June 15.
Safety measures that will be in place include the installation of a glass ‘sneeze guard’ barrier at the town office reception desk. Increased cleaning and sanitizing measures will be implemented.
Visitors will also be required to use provided hand sanitizer, follow physical distancing requirements, and sign in at reception to ensure contact information is available for notification purposes should an outbreak occur.
Visitors are also urged to stay home if they have flu-like symptoms, if they travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days, or if they have been in close contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19.
Exact dates and details about the reopening of recreation facilities such as the splash park, Aquaplex and arena will be provided soon.
The following outdoor recreation facilities are already open for public use: sports fields, the outdoor rink facility at the Ponoka arena, public playgrounds, tennis courts, Hamilton’s Skate Park and the outdoor fitness park located across from the Scout Hall on 46A St. Close.