The Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre has been working diligently to make modifications following the province declaring a state of public health emergency on Tuesday.

In accordance with Alberta’s health guidelines and requirements, the sports centre is cancelling all group and aquatic fitness classes until further notice. 

CEO of SLSFSC, Blair Felesky says that the facility will be heavily impacted by the cancellation of group programming.

"The greatest impacts are obviously our group fitness classes and really team sports in general," says Felesky. "That includes the aquatics department, that includes our hockey arena. So we've had impact clearly in areas that were most successful in garnering our most financial support quite frankly."

Although group programming has been put on pause, Felesky says that there are still a number of activities that can continue at the facility. 

"We still do have the ability in the aquatics department to contribute to the community by having lane swimming openings, leisure pool bookings and therapy pool bookings," says Felesky. "Now, there are limitations, they need to be in families because cohorts aren't in the equation any longer."

Felesky says that for the safety of the community and staff members, most activities need to be booked in advance, with a couple of exceptions.

"The majority is on a per booking basis so we know who's coming into the facility and who's exiting," says Felesky. "Now, the fitness facility is not because we have a manned station there. We know who is in and who is leaving the fitness areas." 

The track can also be used without advance booking and one on one personal training and swim lessons is also permitted at this time.

Regularly scheduled swim lessons will take place today, (Thursday, November 26) but the new restrictions will be implemented starting tomorrow.

The sports centre is also refining their hours of operation and will be open on weekdays from 6 am to 8 pm and on weekends and holidays the facility will operate between 8 am - 8 pm.