Local businesses ask customers to remember respect when out and about

While there haven’t been any incidents to require peace officers or extra security at City of Red Deer rec facilities, respect could still be kicked up a notch.

“There definitely have been people who’ve vocalized to our staff concerns with the level of protocols and with changes related to having to book facilities, and some people are also concerned with the lack of spectator access,” shares Trevor Poth, Parks Superintendent. “We’re just not there yet in terms of being able to provide a safe and accessible environment for spectators.”

Poth says most people don’t realize how much work is being done behind the scenes to make rec facility users’ lives easier.

“Imagine the Collicut Centre, and on a normal day how many people come through and how many surfaces they touch. Every time they push a door, touch a fountain or activate a shower, all those touch points get sterilized as quickly and on as regular a basis as we can provide,” he says.

“All of our rec facilities have a rapid response plan, so in the event of an outbreak or positive exposure, we have a plan we’ve spent weeks and weeks developing to be able to track, monitor and contact people if those situations occur.”

Poth notes the City has no issues with their supply of PPE and hand sanitizer for facilities used by the public, although when the pandemic began there were struggles. Since, production has been stepped up, including locally, to ensure the City doesn’t have to worry about running out.

Back at Cilantro and Chive, cleanliness continues to be the top priority.

“It starts hours before customers come in. We’re making sure high touch surfaces are cleaned every half hour, including bathrooms and door handles. There’s also sanitizer at the entrance, we have single use disposable menus, single use ketchup, salt and pepper, and QR codes are used by customers to view our drink menu,” Kay explains.

“Timers go off every 15 minutes to remind our staff to wash their hands. Things like that make sure we are going above and beyond. At the end of the day, that’s the cost of doing business.”

Kay points to an incident shared on social media last week by Mackay’s Ice Cream in Cochrane as an example of why it’s better for everyone to simply follow guidelines.

“I’ve gone down the wrong way of the grocery store aisle a few times myself,” he admits. “But we just don’t need others taking their frustrations out on people who are trying to do the best they can.”

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Local businesses ask customers to remember respect when out and about

What's Trending