Select outdoor amenities re-opening, including playgrounds and skateboard park

Strathcona County continues to ensure its COVID-19 response and relaunch plan aligns with the Government of Alberta’s relaunch strategy, while ensuring the health and safety of our community, including County staff, remains a top priority.

Select amenities are re-opening, including playgrounds, in accordance with Alberta Health Services’ updated guidelines.

As indoor recreation facilities fall under stage three of the province’s relaunch plan, all indoor facility bookings cancellations have been extended to July 15, 2020, after which cancellations and bookings will be reviewed monthly, in alignment with Alberta Health Services’ direction. The next indoor recreation facility cancellation window will be August 15, then September 8, 2020. 

Playgrounds re-open May 22 (throughout the day)
Individuals are reminded to take precautions when visiting playgrounds, to ensure the safety of children, families and our community. Playground use does have risks, as the County is unable to sanitize the equipment. Children may find it difficult to avoid touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. This can lead to the spread of the virus to playground equipment, other children, and other families.

Playground use tips include:

• Washing hands at home before and after playground use
• While at the playground, use hand sanitizer after touching playground equipment.
• Avoid touching your face
• Keeping at least two metres distance from people outside of the same household.
• Following Alberta Health Services’ gathering restrictions
• Staying home if sick or displaying any symptoms of COVID-19
• Staying in your neighbourhood to help reduce the number of people using the playgrounds at the same time.

The following amenities will be opened according to these timelines:

• May 20
  • Gallery@501 – exhibit only
• May 21
  • Broadmoor Public Golf Course’s driving range and ProShop
• May 22
  • Playground and outdoor fitness equipment amenity
    re-openings throughout the day (138 locations)
  • Skateboard park at Millennium Place
  • Clubhouse at the Broadmoor Public Golf Course
• May 22 to 29
  • Gazebos/picnic shelters – staged opening
• May 29
  • Bike skills park (pending maintenance and weather)
  • Disc golf at the Strathcona Wilderness Centre
• June 1, June 15, June 30
  • Select fields and diamonds staged opening; as Alberta Health Services approves sport-specific organizations only. *Not open for league play.
    Note: Fields and diamonds are currently open for casual use by members of the same household.  

 Cancellations

• Festival Place – cancelling June and July bookings, based on indoor gatherings of 15 people and restrictions on events or concerts.
• County indoor and outdoor summer camps – cancellations in progress.
• All indoor facility bookings cancelled up to July 15 
  • Sliding cancellations to cancel by month and modify bookings as Alberta Health Services’ measures change. Next cancellation window is August 15, then September 8. 
  • Once Alberta Health Services provides direction for re-opening, the openings will be staged, based on Alberta Health Services’ approval of sport-specific organizations only.

Physical distancing required
Physical distancing of two metres will be required through all stages of relaunch. For each facility, service and program, the County is evaluating the infection and control measures that must be in place. This includes occupational health and safety requirements for staff; how to program for limited group sizes; and cleaning and hygiene.

On-going action
Throughout the pandemic, Strathcona County continues to deliver its critical services, while remaining resourced and prepared to respond to seasonal events, such as wildfires and flooding. Strathcona County also continues its focus on ensuring residents have access to social supports.

In addition, Council approved the creation of task forces to guide the community’s short, medium and long-term recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. These task forces will engage the community in helping the County develop an overall strategy that will focus on three areas of recovery: governance, economic resilience, and citizen and community support.

Set in the centre of Alberta’s energy and agricultural heartland, Strathcona County is a thriving, successful and vibrant community of over 98,000 residents. Strathcona County is made up of the urban area of Sherwood Park and a large adjacent rural area of farms, acreages and smaller hamlets. It is home to 75 per cent of hydrocarbon processing in Western Canada. Strathcona County is a leader in environmental conservation, and 55 per cent of its land is within the UNESCO Beaver Hills Biosphere. With a focus on economic, governance, social, cultural and environmental sustainability, Strathcona County is committed to balancing the unique needs of its diverse community.

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Contact: Strathcona County Communications, 780-410-6595