TAMRMS#: B06
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Recreation, Parks and Culture Facilities, Programs and Events during the Pandemic
Presented by: Kerry Hilts, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
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RECOMMENDED COUNCIL MOTIONS
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1. THAT the following measures related to the City of St. Albert response to the COVID-19 pandemic be approved:
a. Indoor or outdoor recreation and cultural facilities that fall within the scope of Order 02-2020 issued by the Chief Medical Officer of Health (“CMOH”) - both municipally-operated and partner-operated - shall remain closed to the public for so long as the current provisions of Order 02-2020 remain in force and effect;
b. All current bookings for events or activities in municipally operated or partner operated indoor or outdoor recreation and cultural facilities within the scope of CMOH Order 02-2020 are cancelled and no new bookings in such facilities are allowed for so long as the current provisions of Order 02-2020 remain in force and effect;
c. All scheduled City-led, City-sponsored or City-approved events (both one-time and recurring events) that fall within the provisions of CMOH Order 07-2020 with respect to maximum size of gatherings and mandatory physical distancing restrictions or prohibitions on mass gatherings or the requirements of physical distancing set out in Order 07-2020 issued by the CMOH, including Canada Day festivities and other summer events and festivals but not including the weekly St. Albert Farmers Market, are cancelled and no such new events shall be allowed or approved by the City of St. Albert for so long as the current provisions of Order 07-2020 remain in force and effect;
d. Parks, trails, and green spaces in St. Albert shall remain accessible to the public for spontaneous use provided that the provisions of CMOH Order 07-2020 with respect to maximum size of gatherings and mandatory physical distancing are complied with by users, for so long as the current provisions of CMOH Order 07-2020 remain in force and effect.
e. The Emergency Advisory Committee (“EAC”) established under the City’s Emergency Management Bylaw is hereby delegated the authority to increase or decrease the restrictions imposed by, or otherwise modify, any measure set out in clauses a through d of this resolution and to instruct the CAO to implement any such increase or decrease to or other modification of any such restriction, provided the EAC is acting in response to an Order or upon the recommendation of the CMOH or other branch or agency of the Government of Alberta.
2. THAT the Community Services Advisory Committee (CSAC) grant review and allocation recommendations for the 2020 Spring grant intake be postponed until the regularly scheduled fall 2020 CSAC meeting for the following grants: Community Events Grant, Athlete and Artist Development Grant, and the Community Capital Grant.
3. THAT the Lieutenant Governor Distinguished Young Artists Legacy Program be deferred until the Spring of 2021 and that the unallocated 2020 budget amount be added to the principle amount as per Policy C-CS-10.
4. THAT Council Motion AR-20-098 is rescinded.
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
The purpose of this report to recommend to Council that:
(a) recreation and cultural facilities and events within the scope of Orders made by the Chief Medical Officer of Health (“CMOH”) remain closed and/or be cancelled for so long as the Orders remain in force and effect, and
(b) authority to modify such closures and cancellations upon issuance of new or amended Orders or recommendations by the CMOH or other agencies of the Government of Alberta, be delegated to the Emergency Advisory Committee.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
On March 17, 2020 the CMOH issued Order 02-2020 (copy attached to this Report) that, among other things, prohibited all persons in Alberta from attending “public recreational facilities”. The Order gave some examples of facilities that fall within the meaning of “public recreational facilities” - such as gyms, swimming pools, arenas, museums and art galleries - but also stated that the prohibition was “not limited to” the specifically identified types of facilities.
On March 23, 2020 Council passed Motion AR-20-098 which was intended to comply with Order 02-2020 and to provide greater clarity to St. Albert residents by setting out in more detail the City-operated and partner operated facilities, and cultural/recreational events, programs and services, to be closed or cancelled or /postponed until after May 31, 2020. A copy of that Motion is attached to this Report.
On March 27, 2020 the CMOH issued Order 07-2020 that significantly impacted the operations of all City facilities, programs and events that were not already under mandatory closure or cancellation, by restricting the number of persons that can gather in a group (whether indoors or outdoors) to a maximum of 15, and by requiring persons to maintain a minimum 2 metre separation distance from each other.
Now that the month of April has passed with Orders 02-2020 and 07-2020 in place, it is apparent that there is considerable uncertainty about how long these COVID-19 related restrictions on Albertans’ Charter rights of freedom of assembly will be maintained, and whether the restrictions will be lifted in a phased manner. Administration is therefore of the opinion that it is no longer appropriate to tie facility closures and event/program cancellations to a specific date on the calendar, as Council Motion AR 20-098 did. Administration is therefore recommending that such closures and cancellations be maintained for a period of time that matches the time during which Orders 02-2020 and 07-2020 remain in force and effect, and that Council Motion AR 20-098 be rescinded and replaced with Motions 1a through 1d recommended in this report.
Administration also recognizes that decisions on COVID-related closures and cancellations, where not specifically mandated by the CMOH (as for example the museum in St. Albert Place) must factor in not only health but also economic and social considerations. For that reason Administration recommends that authority to modify closures, cancellations and postponements, while still respecting the Orders and recommendations of the CMOH and other Provincial Government agencies to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus, should be vested not in the CAO but rather the Emergency Advisory Committee as per Motion 1e recommended in this report.
If Council passes the recommended Motions, the following will remain closed for as long as CMOH Orders 02-2020 and 07-2020 remain in place, based on Administration’s interpretation of the intent of those Orders:
City Operated Facilities, Amenities and Parks
Indoor Facilities
• Clubhouses (Akinsdale, Mission, Larose, Grandin and Willoughby)
• Fountain Park Recreation Centre
• Jarome Iginla & Kinex Arenas
• Servus Credit Union Place
• The Arden Theatre
• St. Albert Place Visual Arts Studios
• Performing Arts Studios and Workshop
• Hemmingway Centre
Outdoor Facilities
• Fowler Athletic Park
• Grosvenor Outdoor Pool
• Larry Olexiuk Field
• Woodlands Skateboard Park
• Woodlands Water Play Park
• Recreation amenities including ball diamonds, sportsfields, tennis and pickleball courts, beach volleyball courts, playground structures, outdoor fitness stations, athletic amenities and pavilions.
• Park amenities including gazebos, boat docks, firewood provision, and platforms
Partner Operated Facilities
- St. Albert Curling Club
- St. Albert Kinsmen Banquet Centre
- St. Albert Botanic Park Pavillion (but not including the park area which remains open)
- St. Albert Minor Baseball Facility (Legion Memorial Ball Park)
- St. Albert Rugby Football Club and Sportsfields
- St. Albert Soccer Association Building and Sportfields
- BLESS programming at the Log Cabin
- St. Albert Tennis Club (Mission Tennis Club)
- St. Albert BMX Association
- St. Albert Men’s Slowpitch Association (Meadowview Ball Park)
- Heritages Sites (Grain Elevator Park)
- Musee Heritage Museum
- The Art Gallery of St. Albert
- The Little White School
- Juneau House
- Red Willow Place
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Administration is exploring options for phased or staggered opening of facilities and will focus its resources on formulating reopening plans consistent with Orders and recommendations of the CMOH and other Government of Alberta agencies. At this time seasonal aquatic facilities, Grosvenor Outdoor Pool and the Woodlands Water Play Park are not anticipated to open to the public during the 2020 season.
While most facilities remain closed to the public, City staff are available via phone and email to address the needs of customers and patrons. Supplementary box office services for the Arden Theatre are also available through Ticketmaster.
Even though outdoor sport facilities are closed for organized use and bookings under CMOH Order 02-2020, the facilities shall remain accessible to the public for spontaneous use provided that the provisions of CMOH Order 07-2020 with respect to maximum size of gatherings and mandatory physical distancing are complied with by users. Further, outdoor sport facilities will not be lined or maintained to the usual game play standards while the Orders are in place.
During the facility closures, asset maintenance and lifecycle work has continued at City operated facilities to ensure that the facilities are ready to open when the closures are lifted. Examples of this work include: maintenance shutdowns of the Servus Place Fitness Centre, Landrex Water Play Centre, Fountain Park Recreation Centre, the Arden Theatre, and the Visual Art Studios and Performing Arts Studios, and deep cleaning of facilities and program equipment.
Partner facility groups were all notified of closures and have co-operated by cancelling events, programs facility gatherings and rentals.
Business Partners within City Operated Facilities and Parks
Businesses operating within recreation and culture facilities have been closed in order to ensure compliance with CMOH Order 02-2020 which prohibits public access to such facilities without exempting particular activities within them.
Events
City-led, City-sponsored or City-approved events that could not practically be staged while remaining in compliance with the restrictions in CMOH Order 07-2020 regarding maximum number of persons in a gathering and mandatory physical distancing, will be cancelled under the Motions recommended. (An exception will be the St. Albert Farmer’s Market which can operate based on the recommendation of the Provincial Minister of Agriculture -- letter from the Minister is attached). This will effectively mean the cancellation of Canada Day celebrations and all other summer events or festivals in St. Albert and elsewhere in the Province of Alberta. However, Administration will continue to work toward development of a plan for a modified virtual Canada Day celebration that will respect all current provisions of the CMOH Orders.
Cancelling all events through until the end of summer at this time will allow groups to cancel their contracts with few or no penalties, reducing the financial significance of an event cancellation. Administration will work with organizers to reschedule events, if possible based on requests, and in alignment with resource and space availability.
Parks & Trails
Parks, trails, green spaces have remained accessible to the public for spontaneous use while respecting the requirements of CMOH Order 07-2020 that prohibits gatherings of more than 15 people and requires people to maintain a distance of 2 metres from one another.
Although not part of any Order, Administration is taking into account the statement of the CMOH during her public update on April 23, 2020:
”There are still outdoor activities where we can be physically distanced and there is no contact with frequently touched objects or surfaces. This includes going for walks or bike rides, visiting parks and working in community gardens, where these distancing measures are able to be kept. Albertans are an incredibly creative group of people, and we cannot provide a specific order or advice for every possible activity under the sun.
I would ask all Albertans to use their common sense, and apply these public health measures to whatever they are doing, inside or out.”
Programming
Programming staff in recreation and cultural areas are moving forward with a variety of programming opportunities to engage residents as per the approved Psychosocial Plan. This programming includes arts, culture and recreation and fitness program opportunities for residents of all ages, including children, youth and adults. It will serve to engage the community during this challenging time and promote and support community wellness.
Virtual programming opportunities will be available during the spring, and planning is underway, where possible for modified programming opportunities throughout the summer and fall. Program staff in the recreation and cultural areas are working collaboratively with Emergency Social Services team to facilitate programming to address needs in the community and promote mental wellness.
While the immediate program focus is on virtual programs during the spring, plans are in place to transition to modified programming when provincial guidelines permit to enable a return to service levels as physical distancing restrictions are eased.
This programming is part of our Business Continuity Planning, in alignment with the City's Psychosocial Plan and Recovery Planning.
Grants
This extended timeline will allow groups additional time to complete and submit applications for the 2020 intake as well as provide Administration with time to evaluate the Corporate financial realities. Having the grants reviewed by CSAC during the fall intake will provided an opportunity to review submissions and make recommendations for Council’s consideration based on guidelines and current needs and priorities.
The Young Artist Legacy Program typically provides assistance for training, education, and/ or travel to showcase events or conferences. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most if not all these events have been cancelled for the summer and fall of this year. It is recommended that this program be deferred until 2021, and the unallocated funds be placed in the reserve for future use as per the policy.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
1. Do not address at this time what will be done after May 31, 2020 with respect to facilities, programs and activities that were closed until that date by Council Motion AR-20-098. Wait until the May 19 or June 1 Council meeting to address that situation.
The concern with this alternative is that some residents have expressed the assumption that “everything will open up again” at the beginning of June, so it may be prudent to put in place a different Council resolution now if we know that will not necessarily be the case.
2. Continue with the grant programs referenced in this report, on their normal timelines.
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Report Date: May 4, 2020
Author(s): Diane Enger/Kelly Jerrott
Department: Recreation & Parks/Community Services
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble