On June 9, the Province announced that Stage 2 of the Alberta COVID-19 Relaunch Strategy will be implemented on Friday, June 12, a week sooner than originally planned. Stage 2 also included the reopening of gyms, recreational facilities, swim lessons and public swims which were originally slated to open in Stage 3. For details, please visit the Province of Alberta website for Stage 2 details and guidelines.
The announcement comes as great news for Blackfalds, particularly for those who are regular guests and members of the Abbey Centre. However, some of the restrictions put in place by Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the Province have presented some challenges in addressing the maximum amount of people of 100 for outdoor or indoor recreation. The Town is therefore implementing a ‘soft’ open of facilities and other amenities and will proceed as follows:
The Border Paving Fitness Centre, Cottonwood Meadows Running Track and the Field House at the Abbey Centre will open on Friday, June 19 with the following conditions:
Hours of operations will be from 5:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Monday to Friday and 7:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The facility is open exclusively to Abbey Centre members and Blackfalds residents (including Lacombe County). Proof of residency will be required.
Access to the facility will be for 2-hour intervals of a maximum of 100 people. After the two hours, the facility will close down for a half hour in order to sanitize and prepare for the next 2-hour interval of 100 people. Doors will lock after 100 people have entered.
Monday to Friday
5:30 - 7:30 a.m.
Entry to facility. Max. 100 people
7:30 - 8:00 a.m.
All guests exit the facility. Closed for sanitization
8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Entry to facility. Max. 100 people
10:00 - 10:30 a.m.
All guests exit the facility. Closed for sanitization
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Entry to facility. Max. 100 people
12:30 - 1:00 p.m.
All guests exit the facility. Closed for sanitization
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Entry to facility. Max. 100 people
3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
All guests exit the facility. Closed for sanitization
3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Entry to facility. Max. 100 people
5:30 – 6:00 p.m.
All guests exit the facility. Closed for sanitization
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Entry to facility. Max. 100 people
8:00 – 8:30 p.m.
All guests exit the facility. Closed for sanitization
8:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Entry to facility. Max. 100 people
Saturday and Sunday
7:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Entry to facility. Max. 100 people
9:00 - 9:30 a.m.
All guests exit the facility. Closed for sanitization
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Entry to facility. Max. 100 people
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
All guests exit the facility. Closed for sanitization
12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Entry to facility. Max. 100 people
2:00 - 2:30 p.m.
All guests exit the facility. Closed for sanitization
2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Entry to facility. Max. 100 people
4:30 – 5:00 p.m.
All guests exit the facility. Closed for sanitization
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Entry to facility. Max. 100 people
7:00 – 7:30 p.m.
All guests exit the facility. Closed for sanitization
7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Entry to facility. Max. 100 people
- Fitness Studio 1 will house cardio equipment in order to accommodate 6 ft. distancing
- Fitness Centre users will be given disinfectant wipes in order to clean the equipment after each use
- No field house equipment or rental of locks at this time
- Child minding will remain closed until September
- The Red Deer Kinsman indoor play space will remain closed as directed by AHS
- There will be no bookings at the Abbey Centre until Stage 3 however bookings for the Community Centre open June 19
- There will be no bookings for the Multi-Plex Arena for the summer due to construction
- Registration for Camp Curious summer camps and Aquatics starts on Friday, June 19.
- Weekly camps and swim lessons will begin the week July 6
- Camp Curious will not be offering their Mini’s Camp for kids aged 3-5 this summer
- The maximum number of registrants for two groups will be 15 for ages 6-7 and ages 8-11 for a total of 30
- There will be no field trips offered outside of Blackfalds. Camp programmers are looking for alternative locations inside the community
- There will continue to be swim lessons held within Camp Curious. Please stay tuned for further details
- Summer Culture Series will proceed on Thursday, June 25, with a max. 100 people.
- There will be no access to washrooms or the Abbey Centre
- Tayles Water Spray Park will open on Friday, June 19.
- The park will not be regularly sanitized and therefore ask that people use the equipment and bathrooms at their own risk
- The McKay Ranch Aquatic Centre is slated to open June 26. This date is subject to change.
- The hot tub will remain closed
- Portable washrooms at the Bike Skills Park and Bark Park will be open, however, these will be cleaned once a week and we therefore ask that people use them at their own risk
- Slo-Pitch League information will be announced at a later date
The Town is working diligently to return to providing the services that our residents take pride in. There are many challenges that the Town has and will experience while ensuring that we are meeting all the guidelines required by AHS and the Government of Alberta. We ask that the public be patient and understanding as we work toward returning to normalcy.
Keep up to date with the latest changes by visiting the blackfalds.com/COVID-19 webpage and follow us on our social media channels; Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
-Submitted by the Town of Blackfalds