While most people who have used amenities within the Orillia Recreation Centre (ORC) have given the facility rave reviews, it has not been all smooth sailing at the new $55-million West Street complex.
Today, visitors to the ORC will learn the leisure pool is closed. The contractor is replacing a section of the pool’s drain pipe.
“This will require that the pool not be used during this time,” said Marcia Russell, the city’s manager of recreation services, who noted the work will not require that the pool be drained.
“This will not impact the lap pool or therapy pool,” said Russell, adding the work began Tuesday and is expected to be complete by Friday.
“We have moved or cancelled the programs in the leisure pool for Tuesday to Friday. Similar to other recreation facilities/programs, those impacted have been notified,” said Russell.
The city is not on the hook, financially, for this work.
Russell said the city received occupancy of the ORC prior to all construction being completed. It opened in late October.
“This is just an extension of work that was required to be replaced as a deficiency; there are no additional costs for this work to be done,” she said.
The ever-changing status of the pandemic also continues to be challenging for recreation facilities and its users.
Last week, when the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) moved into the yellow status, under the province’s new colour-coded system, “very little changed as we were already operating at reduced capacity from a programming standpoint,” said Russell.
“However, a limited number of programs did need to be reduced to a limit of 10 participants,” she said. “For instance, pickleball had a maximum of 16 as the gymnasium space is large enough to physical distance up to 50 people, so we found some alternative options in order to accommodate all participants at different times.”
Russell said arenas and pools “do not have specific maximum numbers, but are required to run at a reduced capacity.
“However, all registered and drop-in programs are required and have been reduced to the 10-person limit until we receive further clarification from the health unit,” she said.
Some have expressed concerns that visitors from “hot zones” might come to the area and try to use the facility.
“According to provincial regulations, anyone whose permanent residency is in a restricted zone is required to abide by the provincial regulations associated with their residency,” said Russell.
“In order to participate in any city programs, everyone is required to pre-register which requires an address. We are working through this on a case-by-case basis with people who may have an address from a zone with a higher level of restrictions.”
Dr. Charles Gardner, the medical officer of health for the SMDHU, warns the region could soon move into an orange status, which will mean more restrictions.
At a media briefing this week, he noted recreational programs such as fitness classes are restricted to 10 people indoors and the participants must remain three metres apart.
“This is to address outbreaks that have happened in indoor spaces with intense activity,” said Gardner.
He also noted facilities must have safety plans, stressing there is a cap of 50 individuals for components (pools, arenas) within multi-use facilities.
“One thing I would say is people need to be mindful of the potential for change as well,” said Gardner. “With our data, if it keeps going up … we may find ourselves in the orange status. For now we are in the yellow status.”
--With files from Erika Engel
