There will be many changes at the fitness centre once it reopens. (submitted photo/Colin Ratushniak)

By Derek Cornet

physical health

Fitness centre at JRMCC set to reopen next week

Jun 2, 2020 | 5:07 PM

The fitness centre at the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre will be ready for a soft opening June 8 as part of phase three of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan.

That’s according to fitness coordinator Colin Ratushniak, who said there are a number of changes members will have to abide by to use the fitness centre. He noted only 15 people will be allowed in the facility at any given time, staff will be present during opening hours and members will need to book a time in advance through an app to be launched soon.

“We’re sort of asking for patience as we open because this is the new normal and we’re going to do our best to navigate through it just like everybody else,” Ratushniak said. “We’re just trying to make it work because we feel it is important for people’s mental and physical health to get back into the gym.”

As of June 8, the fitness centre will be open between 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Friday with it closed on the weekends. Ratushniak mentioned the hours will likely be expanded at some time to include an eight-hour period on both Saturday and Sunday.

Due to social distancing, the layout of the gym will also be different as equipment has been moved at least six-feet apart. Some of the equipment has spilled on to the walking track outside the centre as Ratushniak added the track will likely be closed all summer.

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“It’s sort of necessary for us to open in small increments to make sure everything is working,” he said. “There will be access to a lot more hand sanitizer stations and everyone will be required to wash their hands before entering the facility. There will be multiple locations for disinfectant wipes.”

Ratushniak also explained it’s important the opening of the fitness centre is done right because of the financial situation at the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre. He said the centre is largely funded through profits from casinos, which have already been closed for more than two months. The operating budget is usually pegged at $1 million, but Ratushniak noted only $500,000 will be available for 2020.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno