By City of Red Deer

starting Thursday

Operating hours, programming changes at Red Deer’s rec facilities

Sep 30, 2020 | 3:24 PM

The City of Red Deer’s recreation centres are ready and waiting to welcome citizens back to recreation and culture programs and activities this fall. Starting October 1, hours of operation at recreation centres will change, bringing updated activity schedules.

“We’ve been phasing in the return of activities, programs and services over the last several months, in line with Alberta Health guidelines,” said Barb McKee, Recreation Superintendent. “As we move into fall, we know people are more excited than ever to return to their favourite activities. And we are ready to welcome Red Deerians into our facilities.”

COVID-19 has changed the nature in which citizens can access recreation centres. There are two options to participate:

• Activities: Time blocks that can be reserved, either through classes with an instructor (i.e. Aqua fit or Spin class) or access to spaces (i.e. gymnasium amenities, lane swimming, skating, etc.).These activities would have been considered drop-in activities prior to COVID-19. o You can browse for activities and book a spot using your Look n’ Book account here.

o New schedules, with additional time slots, start October 1.

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o It is important for all customers to use Activity Reservations to guarantee their spot in any amenity in City facilities.

• Programs: Pre-registered, scheduled, instructor-led classes, such as swimming lessons, spin class, art class, etc. The booking process for these programs remains unchanged. o Create your own custom online Activity Guide to browse for programs and register using your Look n’ Book account.

In addition to City-led activities and programs, Red Deer’s community organizations have many options available for anyone looking to keep active, have fun and learn new skills. Listings for community-led programming opportunities are available on Look n’ Book.

Effective October 1, regular hours of operation return to the Collicutt Centre and the G.H. Dawe Community Centre. Hours of operation for all facilities are available here.

Also effective October 1, the temporary discount for facility passes and admission will no longer be available. In early July, entrance fees were temporarily reduced to better reflect reduced hours of operation, service and program offerings. Thursday marks the return to sales of All Access, Plus and Value passes for the facility of your choice. Passes, with the exception of family passes, will be available for online purchase through Look n’ Book. For family passes, please call 403-309-8411, or visit a recreation centre.

October 1 will also see the return of locker tokens. Tokens are available for purchase at customer service. Discounted monthly token packages are once again available for monthly pass holders for $10 or single locker tokens can be purchased for $1.00.

Servus Arena will also welcome citizens back, with free activities, including the Servus Free Skate and the walking track. Offered the first Friday of every month, Servus Free Skate starts October 1. There will be two sessions with a capacity of 50 people per session. An Activity Reservation is required.

The walking track will open for use October 13 and Activity Reservations must be made in advance to attend. The Servus Arena Walking Track a great place to keep moving safely in the winter months with lots of room for physical distancing.

We know many of you are eager to return to our “hot spots” in our pool facilities, including hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms, and we are excited to announce they will also open for use starting October 1. Specific Activity Reservations are not required to access these areas, as they are included in existing Aquatic Activity Reservations. Fitness, Gymnasium and Field House users may access hot spots without an Aquatic Activity Reservation as capacity allows and at the discretion of lifeguards.

“Our staff have been working to ensure our community has access to recreation and culture programs in challenging times due to COVID-19,” said McKee. “We appreciate everyone’s patience as we navigate our new operation environment, and learn how to provide meaningful experiences for our citizens.”