Arena, Recreation Centre reopening moves into next phase

Reeti Meenakshi Rohilla - Staff Writer

The Sioux Lookout Recreation Centre is is moving into the next phase of its reopening. This involves the reopening of the Sioux Lookout Arena. Visitors can now enjoy the extended hours of operation, from 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, and 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. on the weekends. Current and planned programs can be found on the Municipality of Sioux Lookout’s Facebook page.
Interim Recreation & Culture Department Manager Chris Favot said, “The Municipality would like to welcome everyone back to our facility! We are working hard to ensure all visitors experience a safe and enjoyable experience. We would like to remind all visitors to our facilities to please wear a mask, follow the guidelines we have put in place, be respectful of everyone in the facility and be patient. It has been a big change for everyone and I can say that people who have been coming into the facility have been very supportive of what we are trying to accomplish.”
Anyone entering the fitness section is required to wear a mask, which is mandatory throughout the facility. Visitors will be required to check-in at the front desk, along with a recommendation to use the provided hand sanitizers while entering and leaving the facility. However, people may take their masks off in the designated workout areas in the weight room, cardio rooms, and track and squash courts. “We have removed some items, and spaced our equipment’s to create a two metre gap between fitness equipment. Only one person is permitted inside each marked off section at a time,” said Favot. The tracks initially, at this time, are only permitted for walking.
Ensuring compliance with guidelines to have 50 or fewer people in a facility, the Recreation Centre has determined the following maximum number of people permitted in each area at a given time:
Weight Room: 12 people
Cardio Room: 8 people
Treadmill Room: 5 people
Track: 6 people
Squash Courts: 2 people per court
Additionally, Favot asks customers to use the supplied disinfectant wipes to wipe down the equipment before and after each use. “We have implemented a vigorous cleaning schedule for the facility, which involves ongoing cleaning and disinfecting the entire building throughout the day and evening hours, seven days a week,” he shared.
Favot said, “We are giving each phase one month before we move onto the next one. This gives us time to see, monitor and, if necessary, adjust our health and safety measures.” He explained that Phase 1 of reopening the Recreation Centre gave access to the weight room, cardio rooms, track and squash courts within limited hours. Currently, implementing Phase 2 involves the reopening of the Memorial Arena with the last phase allowing the reopening of the gymnasium.
“We are currently in the process of working on opening up the gymnasium portion of the Fitness Centre. We are restructuring how the gym is going to be operated, and will be employing creative ways to run various programs, seven days a week, while adhering to the public health guidelines. We are hoping to have the gymnasium open after Thanksgiving,” Favot concluded.
The Recreation and Culture Department offers a wide range of programs and services, promoting healthy, active living, as well as relationships with families and the community. They offer a wide range of facilities with a gymnasium, weight room, cardio room, indoor walking track, sauna, and squash courts The Department also offers programs and recreational activities at the Recreation Centre, as well as maintaining the parks, beaches, playgrounds, the Cedar Bay Recreation Complex, boat launches, Hudson facilities, The Sioux Lookout Community Museum and the Outdoor Sports Complex.