Calgary reopens limited bookings for some rinks and pools

Now that Alberta has eased some public health restrictions, the City of Calgary is reopening bookings at some municipal arenas and pools.

The city saidsix sheets of ice at three arenas will reopen Thursday:

• Max Bell Centre (Ken Bracko and Arena 2) 1001 Barlow Tr.S.E.
• Father David Bauer and Norma Bush arenas 2424 University Dr.N.W.
• Southland Leisure Centre (Ed Whalen and Joe Kryzcka arenas) 2000 Southland Dr.S.W.

And on Monday, Feb. 22, the city will reopen four pools:

• Bob Bahan Aquatic andFitness Centre 4812 14th Ave.S.E.
• Canyon Meadows Aquatic andFitness Centre 89 Canova Rd.S.W.
• Killarney Aquatic and Recreation Centre 1919 29th St.S.W.
• Sir Winston Churchill Aquatic andRecreation Centre 1520 Northmount Dr.N.W.

The facilities can be booked for one-on-one training or for lessons or practices for minor teams (up to 10 people), but not for games or group exercise, the city said.

Public skating and swimming are not yet allowed under public health restrictions.

Jarret Hoebers, regional manager with Calgary Recreation, said the city has been in touch with Hockey Calgary and other organizations since the province announced on the weekend that youth sports practices would beonce again permitted.

"We're excited to get the sport community back into our facilities," he said in an emailed release.

The city said reopenings of indoor rec facilities is based on several factors, including provincial restrictions, anticipated demand and staff availability.

Calgary Recreation is working with just 10 per cent of its usual front-line staff, the city said, and restaffing facilities will take time. Other city facilities like leisure centres and weight rooms remain closed.

As of early Wednesday afternoon, there were 5,831 active cases of COVID-19 in Alberta with 427 people in hospital. Of those, 2,335 active cases were in Calgary.

Bookings can be made on the city's website.