By Brian Konrad

Closed until 2021

City says numbers to reopen Crestwood Rec Centre ‘just don’t add up’

Aug 27, 2020 | 10:41 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The Crestwood Recreation Centre, originally scheduled to reopen this fall, has been delayed as part of the city’s review of safely reopening facility operations.

City staff worked closely with Alberta Health Services to understand best practices for all of our facilities. When discussing the reopening of the pool and fitness centre, a number of challenges were identified by staff and it was decided the facility would remain closed until 2021.

“We know residents will be upset about this decision and we are too,” said James Will, general manager of the Parks & Recreation Department. “With the current provincial restrictions still in place, we would not be able to offer the same level of programming as we did before. We could only accommodate so many people in the facility at once and those numbers just don’t add up.”

Additional programming and fitness classes will be offered at the Family Leisure Centre beginning in September. Pre-registration will be required. More information can be found on the City’s website.

“We looked at and considered all of our options when it came to reopening Crestwood this year,” Will added. “It would take a significant amount of time and money to be done properly and right now we have the ability to offer more programs at the FLC. We’re able to accommodate more people at that facility and we want to see more of our community enjoying all of the amenities the FLC has to offer.”

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City staff have already begun working with local swim clubs and user groups to accommodate availability and schedules at the FLC.

“We are planning our next steps very carefully,” said Will. “Each decision we make comes with a level of uncertainty as we head into the fall.”

The city continues to review facility operations throughout the community, including reopening dates for arenas and availability of ice surfaces, and thanks residents for their continued patience during the reopening phase.