Lee Mein, Owner of Canadian Martial Arts Centre

By Connor Gunn / David Opinko

Canadian Martial Arts Centre reopening doors June 1

May 25, 2020 | 1:37 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB– Lee Mein, owner of the Canadian Martial Arts Centre (CMAC) in Lethbridge is opening up shop again in light of Stage 1 of the COVID-19 relaunch.

Mein, father of Canadian Professional MMA fighter Jordan Mein, believes that they need to take the right steps in order to return to train safely.

After seeing the reopening of many local businesses, Mein took his chance and told Lethbridge he will be opening his doors on June 1 with no regulations, other than following health orders.

Mein said even before the pandemic started, his staff were taking the necessary steps to keep the area, staff, and the students safe.

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“This can provide for them that outlet they need to get through situations and that’s my reason for doing it.”

Mein says the students will need the support from the club.

“There’s a big misconception, oh you don’t care about the safety of your students and people in the community – we had these practices in place before the lockdown ever happened.”

Adding that staying safe especially for a gym, Mein says the proper hygiene and protocol has already been handled much before the pandemic.

Mein believes mental health can suffer through a difficult time like right now and hitting the heavy bag can relieve some stress.

“The numbers aren’t warranting the cost of peoples’ lives who are going to die from mental health issues and suicide and business failure… we’re all in this together- if you want to stay home, stay home, that’s their right, and the people that want to go out and live their life should have that right as well.”

Mein says he will follow government orders surrounding the safety of students, but the COVID-19 pandemic will not kill his business.

He is concerned however, a small business like his will be hit hard compared to a large corporation.

Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw responded to the reopening of the CMAC during Monday’s COVID-19 update.

She says she understands that many business owners have grown impatient, but we need to remain vigilant.

“The fact that we’ve been so successful is because of these measures we’ve taken together, so if, collectively, we stop taking these protective measures, then my concern is that the virus can spread and spread through to people who are vulnerable to poor outcomes.”

In Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy, gyms are set to reopen in the last of three stages. Stage 1 already happened earlier this month and Stage 2 could potentially happen in late June, but there is no word yet on when Stage 3 might be implemented.

Dr. Hinshaw did not comment on whether any enforcement measures would be taken against Mein or other sports and recreation operators for opening before this happens.