*Updated March 18, 9 a.m.
BONNYVILLE – The Lakeland is feeling the impacts of COVID-19.
Throughout the region, events large and small have been cancelled or postponed. On Sunday, schools and childcare facilities were closed by the province until further notice.
Declaring a state of public health emergency in Alberta, the provincial government announced March 17 all public recreation and private entertainment businesses are shutdown.
As of the province’s latest update at 3:30 p.m. on March 17, there were 97 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the province. One case has been confirmed in AHS' north zone, which encompasses the Bonnyville and Cold Lake area.
Municipalities looking to AHS for guidance
On Monday afternoon, the Bonnyville and District Centennial Centre board of directors made the decision to close the facility for all sport, recreation, and leisure activities effective Tuesday, March 17.
Welcome desk staff will continue to be available by telephone to answer inquiries, and the Apergy Community Outdoor Rink remains open weather permitting. All About You Esthetics and Massage and TLC Counselling, both located on the second floor, are open for their clients only.
In a letter to the public, representatives from the C2 stated, "We will continue monitoring information from the Government of Alberta, Health Canada and Alberta Health Services, and when the facility-use restrictions are lifted, we will welcome reopening as soon as possible."
The Cold Lake Energy Centre and Cold Lake Parent Link centre closed on Tuesday, following the province's announcement that all public recreation facilies must be closed to the public.The City of Cold Lake has also created a task force to work with AHS to support their efforts where needed.
The Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA) announced on March 16 that all of their buildings, including fire stations and EMS facilities, are closed to the public. All emergency services will continue to operate, and the BRFA is working diligently to ensure the safety of first responders.
The MD of Bonnyville made the decision to close Kinosoo Ridge on Monday, and the Bonnyville Municipal Library also closed to the public the morning of March 17 until further notice due to the coronavirus.
Schools closed indefinitely
The Government of Alberta announced on Sunday (March 15) that all kindergarten to Grade 12 schools in the province are closed to students. Post-secondary classes are also cancelled, though campuses remain open, and all childcare, out-of-school care, and preschool facilities are closed.
Provincial assessments, such as the provincial achievement tests, are cancelled, however diploma exams will continue. Students in kindergarten to Grade 12 will still receive a final mark, and move on to their next grade level next year.
While schools are closed to students, teachers and other staff are still expected to work either from home or their workplace.
Both Lakeland Catholic School District (LCSD) and Northern Lights Public Schools (NLPS) met with staff to determine short and long-term plans.
“We’ll devise a program to support our students, especially students in Grade 12,” explained LCSD superintendent Joe Arruda. “We’re also going to devise a plan to support our other students and our staff to make sure that we all do what is best for our students, community, and province.”
NLPS superintendent Rick Cusson said in a statement, “We will be seeking further clarification from Alberta Education about what the cancellation of classes means for our students and our staff. We will also be meeting at the division and school levels to develop plans for the next few days and to start looking at longer term plans as well.”
The three school boards, NLPS, LCSD, and Conseil Scolaire Centre-Est, are working collaboratively to develop a similar plan moving forward for their students, but are waiting for further guidance from Alberta Education.
4 Wing takes precautions
In a letter from 4 Wing Cold Lake Commander Col. Dave Moar, he explained that, effective March 14, all Personnel Support Programs (PSP) services will be suspended until further notice, including the closure of the J.J. Parr Sports Centre. The Military Family Resource Centre Society has also postponed all activities until further notice.
"The mission of 4 Wing Cold Lake is critical to the defence and security of Canada. The emergence of COVID-19 has not changed our mission, nor our commitment to protecting Canadians. During this evolving crisis, the base will remain open and 4 Wing will continue to operate in support of our critical mission," stated Moar in a letter to 4 Wing personnel and their families.
All 4 Wing members returning from international travel, whether from training, operations, or leave, are required to adhere to the 14-day isolation period set by the federal government.
Local events cancelled or postponed
Events across the Lakeland have been cancelled or postponed due to the provincial government’s March 12 announcement that any events or gatherings expected to have more than 250 attendees, or more than 50 attendees with international participants, seniors, or high-risk populations, should be cancelled in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Christine St. Laurent, regional director of the Bonnyville-Cold Lake French Cultural Centre (ACFA) who organizes the La Cabane á Sucre du Nord, also known as the Northern Sugar Shack, which was scheduled for last Saturday (March 14), said attendance in the past has ranged anywhere from 500 to 700 people.
“It’s very disappointing because we’ve been organizing this since the beginning of January,” she noted, adding the decision was made early-on in the process.
“Luckily, a lot of the infrastructure that we put in place weren’t set in place… We’re not having to undo a lot of stuff, but we did have a lot of beans and crepes that were cooked already.”
The Bonnyville Health Foundation also decided to postpone their March 23 gala since it was anticipated roughly 800 people would be in attendance. They intend to host the event at a later date.
In Cold Lake, the ag society cancelled their spring Bullarama. It was estimated to have 800 people attend the bull riding performance, and roughly 400 making their way to the dance afterwards. Whether or not the remainder of the Bullaramas, which are scheduled over the course of the next few months, will go forward has yet to be confirmed.
Other local events that were cancelled or postponed due to coronavirus concerns: Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs spring prospects camp, any and all Alberta Hockey sanctioned events, including the bantam and midget provincials the Lakeland Jaguars were set to host, Blizzard Blast at Kinosoo Ridge, the indoor soccer season for the Bonnyville Soccer Association has ended, all Girl Guides activities in the area, Skijoring for MS, all Parent Link programming, the Bonnyville Friendship Centre’s pie auction, the Glendon Shevchenko Ukrainian Dance Club's Zabava, the Cold Lake Home and Leisure Trade Show, and Kinosoo Ridge is closed for the remainder of the season.
If you have a local event that was cancelled or postponed due to coronavirus concerns, let us know at [email protected].
Follow the most recent updates on the COVID-19 at www.lakelandtoday.ca/coronavirus-covid-19-information.
