Municipality of Sioux Lookout announces reopening of some of its facilities

Jesse Bonello - Staff Writer

The Municipality of Sioux Lookout announced some of its municipal facilities will be reopened as of July 13, with various safety measures and limitations in place.
In a media release on July 3, the Municipality of Sioux Lookout said they’ve been working with public health partners and the Ministry of Labour to ensure their reopening plans meet public health requirements.
“The Municipality of Sioux Lookout remains diligent in monitoring the emergent public health crisis, COVID-19, as we continue to base decisions on advice and recommendations from public health officials,” the release informed.
“As the Provincial Government moves forward with “reopening” measures, the Municipality of Sioux Lookout has been working hard with our public health partners, suppliers (of Personal Protective Equipment), and the Ministry of Labour to ensure our plans to reopen our facilities are in keeping with public health and Ministry of Labour advice and requirements,” the release shared.
The Municipal Office, the Economic Development Department, the Emergency Services Department, the Public Works Department, and the Recreation & Culture Department are among the July 13 reopenings. The Municipality noted, in the media release, Sioux Lookout Hydro will not be opening on July 13.
In the media release, the Municipality of Sioux Lookout provides specific restrictions and requirements for each location.
For the Municipal Office, located at 25 Fifth Avenue, the release instructs:
•    Hours open to the public: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday
•    All visits to the Municipal Office require an appointment prior to arrival, excepting those individuals attending to pay bills/taxes.
•    All visitors to the Municipal Office, regardless of purpose, will be required to wear a mask and confirm that they are NOT displaying any symptoms of COVID-19 prior to being admitted.
•    All visitors to the Municipal Office, other than those attending to pay a bill, will be required to sign-in and sign out.
For the Economic Development Department located at 53 Front Street:
•    Hours open to the public: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.
•    All visits to the Economic Development Department require an appointment prior to arrival.
•    All visitors to the Economic Development Department will be required to wear a mask and confirm that they are NOT displaying any symptoms of COVID19 prior to being admitted.
For the Emergency Services Department located at 39 Fifth Avenue:
• Hours open to the public: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Burning Permits may be purchased during these times.
• All visits to the Emergency Services Department/Fire Hall require an appointment prior to arrival.
• All visitors to the Emergency Services Department will be required to wear a mask and confirm that they are NOT displaying any symptoms of COVID-19 prior to being admitted.
For the Public Works Department located at 41 Fifth Avenue:
•    Hours open to the public: 9:00 a.m. to Noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday
•    All visitors to the Public Works Department will be required to wear a mask and confirm that they are NOT displaying any symptoms of COVID-19 prior to being admitted.
•    Hidden Lake Landfill Site – all transactions will continue to be conducted from the service window at the scale house until further notice.
For the Recreation & Culture Department located at the Sioux Lookout Memorial Arena:
•    The Fitness Centre, Squash Courts, Gymnasium, and Arena will REMAIN CLOSED at this time.
•    Front Desk/Reception will be open to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Burning Permits and Boat Launch Passes can be purchased during these times.
•    All visitors to the Recreation & Culture Department will be required to wear a mask and confirm that they are NOT displaying any symptoms of COVID-19 prior to being admitted.
“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,” said Michelle Larose, CAO.
“The health and well-being of everyone residing in Sioux Lookout is of paramount importance to the Municipality,” said Sioux Lookout Mayor Doug Lawrance.
The Municipality said their children’s centres will remain closed during this time.
“The Municipal Children’s Centres (Daycare Programming) will remain closed at this time, until we receive approval for opening from the appropriate authorities. We will continue to provide updates to the public regarding daycare programming as new information becomes available,” the release informed.
“We understand that the provision of childcare is a critical step in assisting with the transition to the government’s reopening of the Province and our economy. We are taking all reasonable and necessary steps to open our Children’s Centres as soon as possible, and we will provide updates to the public as the opening date is determined,” said Larose.
The Municipality said the Municipal Airport remained open throughout COVID-19, so there are no operational changes to report at this time.
Along with the front desk at the Sioux Lookout Memorial Arena, residents can purchase burn permits and boat launch passes at the Sioux Lookout Fire Hall as of July 13.
“In terms of burning permits and boat launch passes, they will be available for sale from the Fire Hall from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, beginning July 13th, as well as from the Recreation Centre Front Desk from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday,” the release concludes.