After almost five months of being closed, the Bradford Leisure Centre is planning for a staggered reopening this September.
In the town’s virtual council meeting on Tuesday night, council received a report on the strategy for reopening, with modified services, developed by town staff.
The reopening of the Leisure Centre facilities will be a gradual one, with guidance from stakeholder groups such as Parks and Recreation Ontario, Ontario Recreation Facilities Association, the Lifesaving Society, and local sports organizations.
A survey made available for residents on the reopening plans had 1,364 respondents, with 55 percent excited to get back into the facility, but 30 to 35 percent "quite nervous," said Director of Community Services Terry Foran.
Currently, the province limits the maximum number for an indoor gathering to 50 people, which poses a challenge for the large Leisure Centre. Foran explained that the town has asked permission to divide the Leisure Centre into a 'Warm' side (Fitness centre) and 'Cold' side (arenas) - with the 50-person cap applying to each side.
“Ideally, if we could get the facilities broken into two pieces, we could put the most amount of people in the facility at the same time,” said Foran. “I know that a number of clubs are trying to work their own return policies and we will work together with them.”
“Hopefully if we can split the building in two, the warm and cold side, that will help the financial picture a bit,” agreed Mayor Rob Keffer.
In 2019, the Leisure Centre saw 800,000 people coming into the building, an average of 66,000 people per month. With the planned reduced numbers, services and hours, it is estimated this will drop down to about 8,354 people per month - representing a significant loss of revenue.
The report noted that the town facilities usually operate at 66 percent cost recovery, through fees and memberships. With the reduced numbers permitted, and higher costs to maintain public safety, cost recovery will be closer to 40 percent. Over the full year, cost recovery is expected to be no higher than 21 percent.
There will be restrictions, when the Leisure Centre does reopen. Users will be asked to practice physical distancing of two metres, follow directional arrows and wear mandatory face coverings, as per the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. Activities would be also be scheduled in one hour time slots booked in advance online or by phone, with one hour gaps in between uses, for disinfecting of touch points, and reduced operating hours to allow for deep cleaning and sanitization of the facility.
Town staff are looking at a modified pricing schedule for members, to reflect the reduction in hours and services.
It all adds up to higher costs, and lower revenues
Asked about government assistance to help cover costs, Foran told council that although there have been promises of financial help for municipalities from the provincial and federal governments, "At this time, there's no new information... Where that money and how that money is going to be spent, there's nothing further."
“I am really hoping the funding from the federal government will trickle down to us for some of these recovery costs,” said Deputy Mayor James Leduc.
Foran said the first step in reopening is reaching out to user groups looking to schedule their programs.
“Once we get info back from minor locals and the hours they are requesting, we can see where we can add more, learn as we go and condense as we go, erring on the side of caution every step of the way,” he said.
While the idea of reopening is exciting, Coun. Raj Sandhu emphasized the importance of residents’ safety.
“There’s lots of talk and pressure from groups to open it but we have to think about safety first,” he said. “I just want everyone to understand, the safety of our residents and children outweigh everything.”
“Our residents want something to do,” noted Mayor Keffer. "To be able to have the facilities there to allow some hockey, figure skating, basketball, fitness, aquatics, that would be nice." But confirmed "We have to do it safely and within the regulations put there for us.”
In the 'staggered reopening' proposed, the first part of the facility to reopen would be the 'cold' section, the ice rinks, and then the fitness centre. "Those two areas would represent the best cost recovery," Foran said.
Some of the services that would be included in the initial reopening include ice rental, leisure skating, cardio machines, strength training, sports in pairs in the gymnasium, and certain programs in the leisure guide. Activities like Aqua fitness, fitness classes, leisure swimming, open gym and contact sports would not be available upon reopening.
Asked about when the opening would begin, Foran noted that there is still work to be done, to redeploy staff and get the facility for use.
"We do have a number of items to work through," he told council, suggesting that the reopening of the Leisure Centre could begin as soon as September 8, "to no later than mid-September."
As for the Bob Fallis Sports Complex, Foran told council that even with 40 percent cost recovery, "it will still be a financial hit to get it going," but plans are underway to open that facility as well.
Council voted to approve the recommendations on the reopening strategy.
To view the reopening strategy report, click here.
