The day that many in Wetaskiwin have been waiting for has finally arrived: The Manluk Centre: Wetaskiwin Regional Aquatics & Fitness is open and safely welcoming swimmers and fitness enthusiasts.
“Our staff are ecstatic to welcome patrons back to the centre,” says Natasha Grant,Manager of Recreation for the City of Wetaskiwin.
While the centre has been closed since May 7 due to COVID-19 health restrictions, staff have been busy planning and preparing for a safe June 14 restart – and fielding many queries from eager patrons!
“I would say the majority of our calls have been from seniors who are really looking forward to getting back to their classes and to seeing their friends again,” Grant says.
Parents wondering about summer camps will also be happy to know that planning is well underway.
As of Monday, June 14, public swimming, aquafit and fitness classes are all welcoming participants again, with the schedule available through July 4.
Highlights include:
- Public swimming weekdays from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Two public sessions a day are also scheduled on weekends and holidays.
- Family swim times are scheduled from 5:30 p.m to 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, plus 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
- Waterslides will be open for the afternoon and evening sessions.
- Pre-booked, registered aquatic programs include shallow-water aquafit, deep-water aquafit, and Stretch ‘n’ Move in the leisure pool. Other activities include lane swimming, school sessions and swim club.
- Fitness centre drop-in is available from 6 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, with morning and afternoon weekend sessions also available.
- Fitness classes include Cardio Re-Set, from 12:10 p.m. to 12:50 p.m. Tuesday, and Bodyweight Re-boot, from 12:10 p.m. to 12:50 p.m. Thursday, both at the Drill Hall, with fitness mats provided.
The reopening will happen within the current health protocols, including maintaining one-third capacity, with visitors required to wear masks in public spaces and to stay home when feeling ill.
Patrons are encouraged to stay three metres from others who not in their family, and are asked to arrive no more than 10 minutes before their program time—with swimmers permitted into the change rooms five minutes before their swim. Screening and contact tracing information will be recorded for AHS upon arrival.
A limited number of washrooms, showers and lockers will be available, so patrons are encouraged to come dressed in their swimsuits or workout gear, and to shower at home. After finishing your swim or workout, do not linger in the building as measures are still in place to avoid gatherings of any size.
More announcements coming
Good news for parents and children, registration is also on the way for summer camps, once guidelines are announced, Grant says.
“We’re really excited to welcome you back,” she says.
Check out the most up-to-date schedule here. Still unsure? Call