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Stan Siwik Pool -- LNN
Recreation Excellence clarifies mask rules

City opening more pools in Lethbridge with restrictions

Mar 17, 2021 | 11:20 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB– The City of Lethbridge announced more pools will be opening with additional restrictions.

Something many LNN readers have pointed out is the part of the press release from the city that states, “masks are mandatory in the facility and water at all times.”

Because of how many people had made similar comments, we reached out to Recreation Excellence to clarify this rule.

A representative told us that guidelines from Alberta Health Services require the use of face masks for all low-intensity exercises.

For now, at Nicholas Sheran Pool and the Stan Siwik Pool, they are only offering Water Walking, Aqua Stretching, and Therapy Swim programming starting on March 17th.

She said they are not able to allow general public swimming at this time so all activities in the pools are closely monitored.

Swimmers are asked to keep all parts of their bodies above the shoulders out of the water to ensure their face mask does not get submerged. In case it does get wet, she recommends bringing a spare mask to change into.

The representative adds that these mask requirements are not rules they wanted to implement, but ones they had to if they wanted to reopen at all.

“We know it’s not convenient, but we have to abide by the Alberta Health guidelines.”

“If people aren’t ready to wear masks in the water, this is not the time for them to come.”

Face shields and other means of face coverings are not be permitted.

For information on class times and pool programming schedules, visit:

https://www.lethbridge.ca/Things-To-Do/Aquatics-Pools/Pages/Schedule.aspx