BANFF – The Banff Centre plans to reopen the Sally Borden pool as early as March 1.
The Sally Borden fitness and recreation centre has already reopened, but the pool is still closed due to the ongoing challenges in recruiting lifeguards associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Janice Price, president and CEO of the Banff Centre, said the 25-metre pool will be open on a limited basis from March 1; however, the steam room remains closed.
“Because of the challenges throughout the province in recruiting lifeguards, the pool will only be open for unguarded swims for our recreation centre members, for day pass holders, and Banff Centre guests in our residence this year,” she said.
“We will be returning to full programming at the pool once we’ve been able to successfully complete these lifeguard recruitments.”
The Banff Centre is also in the process of joining the Banff Access Program – a Town of Banff-run program that provides eligible residents with discounts on classes, programs, transit passes, purchases at participating businesses and more.
“That will enable fitness centre discounts for qualified community residents,” said Price. “Our participation in that program should be finalized by the end of this month.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, significant renovations were made to the Sally Borden fitness centre, which includes cardio equipment, free weights, a running track and climbing wall.
Group fitness classes, however, are currently unavailable.
“We have been able to safely reopen the Sally Borden fitness centre, which is such an important community asset,” she said.
“There are currently about 50 to 60 people making use of the Sally Borden Fitness Centre each day.”
Price said more fitness training rooms were added based on what fitness centre members were asking for.
“That means we lost the basketball court, which wasn’t as utilized, frankly, as people wanted to do fitness training,” she said.
“At least in the near term, we’ve had to distance the equipment and bring in new cleaning protocols, which means we don’t have quite as much equipment as we will have once we get past COVID.”
Maclab Bistro was reopened in the fall in time for the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival. Three Ravens Restaurant and Wine Bar and Vistas Dining Room, however, remain closed to the public.
“We are waiting until we are through COVID and have more visitors on campus,” Price said.
Mayor Corrie DiManno said it is heartening to hear of the return of activities on campus.
“I know many residents will be very excited about the news about the pool as well as the fitness centre,” she said.
The Sally Borden fitness and recreation facility operates under the province of Alberta’s vaccine passport program – the so-called Restriction Exemption Program.
For anyone born in 2009 or earlier, a QR code is the only acceptable proof of double vaccination with the second dose being received at least 14 days prior to entry. For those unvaccinated, a negative PCR or rapid test COVID-19 result taken within 72 hours, or an original medical exemption letter, is required. All individuals 18 years or older must also produce valid personal identification, indicating the name of the holder and date of birth.
