With Delta now in its fourth stage of reopening public facilities, Delta’s mayor has been forced to address non-Deltans complaining about lack of space.
By Sept. 21, Delta’s reopening plan was in full effect. The plan laid out guidelines for how gyms, arenas and pools in Delta are to operate safely in light of the global COVID-19 pandemic. During a virtual town hall hosted Sept. 29, city officials addressed some growing pains experienced by those adjusting to the new guidelines.
During the meeting George Harvie spoke to the numerous calls he received from people living outside of Delta complaining they are not able to use Delta’s facilities.
“It’s not Delta’s problem that our neighbouring municipalities are not opening their facilities or are keeping some closed,” Harvie said. “We have limited access because of COVID-19 in the numbers that are going to be allowed into our facilities, we have to let our taxpayers in first.”
Harvie went on to say he hopes one day there will be more room and non-Deltans can be accommodated as they once were.
“We would open it up to the general public, but in this case the registrations are full,” he said.
Pre-registration has been another thing to get used to for some.
City manager Sean McGill used the meeting to clarify that people must pre-register for drop-in classes and events so that staff can work inside social distancing guidelines and clean the appropriate number of items used for the activity.
“There’s a lot of changes,” McGill said. “It can be uncomfortable at first, but we’ll get through it together.”
