After a forgettable 2020 season where the Canora swimming pool remained closed all summer, planning is underway for the 2021 opening.
According to Aaron Herriges, director of leisure services, “because of the weather and the upcoming Red Cross Lifeguard courses, we were able to get a head start on getting the pool operating for one last season, and we are going to be open right to the end of August.”
Barring any unforeseen setbacks, Herriges said they are expecting to open the pool in time for the Victoria Day long weekend, highlighted by a public announcement to make it official.
With COVID-19 restrictions still in place, changes have to be made in the operation of the pool. “We will likely need to make adjustments as the season goes along if guidelines change,” continued Herriges. “We ask the pubic to be considerate to our staff as they will be operating the facility for the first time under these circumstances. As always, their positions come with great responsibility as their primary concerns are for the safety of the patrons at the pool.”
Mackenzie Gulka has been hired as the pool manager for the upcoming season.
“As many in Canora know, she brings great experience, organization, and skill to the position,” said Herriges. “We are lucky have another great leader for our Aquatics program, a position she has earned over numerous years at our facility.”
Gulka encourages Canora and area swimmers to consider the upcoming programs for the season including public swimming, Aqua-fit, school swimming, and possibly some new programs. Swimmers are encouraged to stay connected to the pool schedule in Canora Courier, at canora.com, or on the Canora Swimming Pool Facebook page.
Of course, there are a variety of restrictions and changes at the pool for the coming season.
“All patrons and staff are required to wear a mask inside the office and change rooms, masks may be taken off once on deck,” explained Gulka. “Physical distancing of two metres must occur at all times, even in the water.”
Each patron and staff member will be screened for COVID-19 upon entering the facility.
“There is a maximum of 25 patrons in the water at a time,” continued Gulka. “Preference will be given on a ‘first come, first serve basis.’ Patrons should expect that there is a chance they will be turned away if capacity is reached. If too many issues arise from this method, we may have to switch to a booking system, but we would like to avoid this if possible.”
Parents and spectators are allowed in the grass area, provided they can keep to the spacing requirements.
“Because of our limited capacity, public swimming will take place in intervals throughout the day, with designated COVID-19 disinfection breaks,” described Gulka. “People that pay for a daily pass can come back on the same day without being charged again provided that they there is vacancy and they wait their turn.”
Herriges said they have been asked many times if swimming lessons will be available in 2021
“This was a question that I needed to discuss internally with our staff because the Town of Canora was not about to instruct staff members to do something they weren’t comfortable with,” he stated. “Mackenzie held a staff meeting in May to outline operations and to get feedback in regards to possibly running lessons. It was unanimous; the current staff was on board with running a safe lesson program. Since the staff meeting, Mackenzie has been working on a plan to incorporate swimming lessons this year. The plan is not 100 per cent complete but it will be made public when it is ready in the coming weeks. The public can expect the restrictions to have a significant impact on how many lessons are available and how they are offered.”
Gulka provided a few early details that will be implemented this season regarding swimming lessons.
“Registration will be accepted differently this summer. The public will have less choice of when their lesson will be,” she detailed. “They will have the opportunity to select a month and swimmers will receive a designated session date and time. This is to try and successfully accommodate all interest and meet the demand. Once the registration deadline is past for the designated month, preference will only be given to the classes in which space still exists.”
Lessons will be capped at five swimmers per class. Whether in private or group lessons, all Preschool Levels and Swim Kids Levels 1 to 4 will require a parent/caregiver to attend each swimmer in the water in order to achieve physical distancing. Swim Kids Levels 5 to 10 will not require a parent/caregiver, but physical distancing will have to occur at all times.
“We are not taking registrations until it is made public that the forms are available. We ask the public to not express interest until the announcement is made that registration is open. Swim passes can be purchased at the pool or Town office once the season has started. Please watch for the official announcement,” concluded Gulka.
In addition to Gulka and Emma Mykytyshyn, the other 2021 Canora swimming pool staff members are: Carter Matychuk, Emily Owchar, Zane Chopik, Drea Beblow, Breanne Woloshyn, Lexie Biletski, Bella Mykytyshyn and Zoe Thomas (part time); and Kelly Bazuik,
Maggie Robertson, Toby Olynyk, Bailee Zuravloff, Robin Skurat, Brandon Harder and Michael Owchar (casual).
