City expects to reopen pools at end of month

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/03/2021 (1996 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The City of Winnipeg plans to reopen indoor pools on a limited basis later this month, and bring back staff members who were laid off last fall.

Public indoor pools are expected to reopen for aquatic sports groups, lane swimming, aquatic fitness classes and limited public swimming, within 25 per cent capacity limits, around March 29, said Jason Shaw, Winnipeg’s assistant chief of emergency management.

The St. James Civic and Margaret Grant pools will remain closed as they are upgraded.

“The change to public health orders regarding indoor pools and indoor arenas is welcome news. The loosening of these restrictions, including opening these facilities to 25 per cent capacity and allowing the limited use of change rooms… makes it easier for us to resume services at these facilities,” said Shaw.

The city will also reopen indoor rinks at the Eric Coy, Century and Terry Sawchuk arenas for spring casual access around March 15, Shaw added.

The city expects to call back to work 340 temporarily laid-off community services employees as a result of the changes. The exact dates for re-openings are not considered final and may change.

Shaw stressed the facilities have stayed closed due to a cautious reopening approach, not risks specific to those exact sites.

— Joyanne Pursaga