BANFF – The Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation facility is “getting very close” to welcoming guests back as details are being worked out for a phased reopening of the Banff Centre building.
“We know the community is eager to see our facility reopen – we are too,” said Erin Brandt-Filliter, director of communications at the Banff Centre in an email.
“We also want to ensure that we are opening in the safest and most responsible way to protect our members and staff. This includes working with Alberta Health Services (AHS) on plans and protocols for each service and every space within the building.”
Brandt-Filliter added the Banff Centre anticipates it will be able to share a reopening date with its members and staff "very soon."
Pre-COVID-19, the facility offered a weight and cardio room, indoor track, gymnasium, climbing wall, swimming pool, and change rooms with steam rooms.
When the fitness facility reopens, it may not immediately include all of these offerings.
“Our team is also working diligently to finalize plans for reopening in the context of a global pandemic – including increased cleaning measures, an online booking system, and defining the use of spaces within the building, such as the flow of people moving in and out of the building,” said Brandt-Filliter.
The Banff Centre didn’t disclose how its new online booking system would work.
In Canmore, Elevation Place moved towards an online reservation system for climbing, aquatics, fitness and core classes with limited capacity after reopening in July in compliance with guidelines from AHS.
In Banff, Sally Borden has taken longer to reopen due to planned renovations at the facility. The upgrades were on track to be completed in September, but an opportunity arose “to expand the scope of the project to make some additional improvements to the facility.”
“Following the construction, we have also undertaken a thorough cleaning of the facility to remove any lingering construction dust,” Brandt-Filliter said. “And we have been refitting the space in response to health requirements to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Examples include installing barrier glass, configuring equipment within the space to allow for physical distancing, etc.”
The facility closed its doors in March due to the pandemic.
