The city's community programmer Siobhan Gormley, left, and fitness instructor Chantel Cunningham welcome visitors at the NationsWEST Field House on re-opening day, Sept. 16. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

Back in the game

NationsWEST Field House re-opens with COVID-19 precautions

Sep 16, 2020 | 3:37 PM

The Credit Union CUplex NationsWEST Field House in North Battleford is now open again for fitness and sports enthusiasts to enjoy.

Chantel Cunningham, aquafit and boot camp instructor, is thrilled to have the venue back in use.

“I’m very excited to get back, and to give people their fitness again,” she said on re-opening day, Wednesday.

The City of North Battleford’s community programmer and central booking manager Siobhan Gormley said all the staff at the Field House are pleased to see residents finally be able to access the sports complex, which has been closed since the start of the pandemic in March.

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“It’s very exciting to re-open the NationsWEST Field House,” she said. “We’ve been closed a long time. I think people are anxious to start using the facility.”

COVID-19 protocols are in place to meet the province’s regulations and ensure everyone’s safety.

Visitors will need to sign in when they enter the facility, and provide their personal information in the event someone tests positive for COVID-19.

“Similar to the aquatic centre, we have to do contact tracing,” Gormley said. “There are [computer] tablets at the door, and people will enter their name and phone number.”

The facility is now open Wednesdays to Sundays from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. The building must operate at a reduced capacity of 100 people in total, including staff.

According to the city, masks are not mandatory at this time, however they are recommended.

All fields and courts are available for drop-in use. Participants must maintain physical distancing requirements of at least two-metres between individuals.

The fitness equipment on the top level is being moved to accommodate physical distancing as well.

Staff will be cleaning and disinfecting on an ongoing basis.

Visitors are asked to wash their hands and use the hand sanitizer available at various stations throughout the facility.

Gormley said the city received a number of enquiries from people looking forward to getting back to use the Field House again.

“A lot of our regular [groups] have booked in,” she said.

Gormley said those interested in youth soccer, pickleball and other sports available at the centre are “very anxious to return.”

“We’re happy to see them back,” she said.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW