The City of Edmonton will gradually open five of its recreation centres in March for low-intensity individual and group workouts.
City manager Andre Corbould announced the reopening in an emergency advisory committee meeting on March 3. The decision follows the provincial government’s announcement on March 1 that it would ease restrictions to allow scheduled low-intensity fitness activities as part of the second step of its reopening plan.
"We support the province’s go slow strategy as it maintains an appropriate level of safety for our community and relies on science to guide the pace of reopening,” Corbould said.
The facilities closed on Dec. 12 following provincial health restrictions, and some of them reopened to school groups and sports organizations on Feb. 11.
The Kinsmen Sports Centre and Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre will reopen March 5 for activities like yoga, walking, and light weight training.
Terwillegar and The Meadows recreation centres will follow on March 10, and Clareview will open on March 15.
Councillors noted the ongoing confusion around what constitutes a low-intensity workout.
"Everyone has a different definition of what high and low-intensity is," said Coun. Jon Dziadyk.
Dr. Chris Sikora, medical officer of health with Alberta Health Services, said high-intensity activity includes anything that leaves you out of breath.
Under this criteria, swimming is considered a high-intensity activity, and aquatic centres will remain closed for now.