By rdnewsNOW staff

facility operation updates, santa parade cancelled

Ponoka adjusts to new pandemic restrictions

Nov 27, 2020 | 2:09 PM

The Town of Ponoka is implementing new restrictions, effective immediately, until further notice in response to new provincial health restrictions announced this week to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The Ponoka Arena Complex and Curling Rink are temporarily closed. The Outdoor Rink (ODR) at the Arena remains open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily with a maximum of 10 people allowed on the ice surface at once. ODR users are asked to limit the length of their time on the ice during each visit to allow other users to use the facility. The change room at the northeast corner of the Arena is closed to public use until further notice.

The Ponoka Aquaplex remains open with existing restrictions continuing until further notice, including the temporary cancellation of swim lessons, Junior Lifeguard Club and Aquafit classes. Lane swimming, Public Swim and Family Swim are still being offered with occupancy numbers at the facility limited to a maximum of 20 visitors at a time.

The Santa Claus parade slated for December 4 is cancelled due to gathering restrictions. The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony for the Town Christmas tree located at the old Town Hall site in Downtown Ponoka will be held as a virtual event livestreamed on the Town’s Facebook page on December 4 at 5:30 p.m.

“The Town’s new Christmas Light Tour, the virtual tree lighting, and the expanded light display at Centennial Park are a few of the fun, COVID-friendly alternative activities that the Town is working hard to provide this holiday season for the enjoyment of our residents,” said Andrew Jones, Town of Ponoka Recreation Coordinator.

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Citizens are encouraged to continue using outdoor recreation facilities such as the walking trail system to stay active during the pandemic. Town staff, with the help of the Ponoka County East District Fire Department, are working to open additional outdoor facilities such as the skating trail in Lions Centennial Park as soon as the weather permits.

The Town Office at the Ponoka Civic Centre will remain closed to public access until further notice, but the Town continues to be open for business by phone, email, fax and online. Citizens can contact the Town Office by phone at 403-783-4431, by email at town@ponoka.ca, by fax at 403-783-6745 or online at www.ponoka.ca.

Citizens are encouraged to make bill payments online through their bank, by mail, by credit card using the online credit card payment slip available online by phoning the Town Office. Late payment penalties on utility payments and accounts receivable (with the exception of property taxes) will be waived until December 31.

The Town of Ponoka thanks citizens for their continued diligence in following provincial public health orders and directives to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

“It’s very important that our citizens continue to follow these requirements when using outdoor recreation facilities to help keep themselves and others safe,” said Jones.

He notes that if the Town starts receiving reports of individuals not following public health orders at outdoor facilities such as the Outdoor Rink, there is a risk that these facilities may be required to close to protect public health and safety.