ST. PAUL - With neighbouring municipalities opting to re-open playgrounds, the issue came before Town of St. Paul council during Monday night's regular meeting, with one councillor voicing frustrations over playgrounds and ball diamonds still being closed.
Coun. Tyson deMoissac was clear in his opinion that playgrounds should be opened up, along with ball diamonds, for public use.
He noted that some stores have a lot more than 15 people inside, yet parks and ball diamonds remain closed. He noted that he felt families would be responsible in washing their hands after playing on the equipment. He also expressed concern over people's mental wellness and the importance of kids having the opportunity to simply play.
"We have zero cases (of COVID) in the Lakeland," said deMoissac.
CAO Kim Heyman noted that since people are continually being tested for the virus, there could be new cases confirmed any day.
Heyman said the town is in the process of ordering signs to be installed at its playgrounds, telling people to play at their own risk, and to take necessary precautions. The signs, which will be permanent, are being installed on the advice of the town's insurance provider. The signs will cost about $2,200.
While Coun. Ron Boisvert initially made a motion to keep playgrounds closed until signs were installed, and keep ball diamonds closed until Baseball Alberta reinstates insurance for organizations, that motion was discussed at length, and eventually it was split into two motions.
Mayor Maureen Miller said she felt a provincial announcement would be coming soon on both topics of the playgrounds and outdoor recreation areas, such as the ball diamonds, later this week. In response to deMoissac's concerns, Miller said the business community has been given directives from the province. Also, the town, as a municipality, is responsible for the wellbeing of the whole community.
"It's a balancing act, for sure," said Miller.
Not long before the discussion on parks took place, council agreed to allow farmer's markets to operate at the two senior citizen centres in town. Councillor deMoissac said he felt it was hard to justify allowing people to purchase handmade items made in people's homes, but not allow families to play at a playground.
Coun. Gary Ward said if the ball diamonds are opened, there will be maintenance required. deMoissac responded to the statement, saying a level of maintenance has to continue to occur regardless of the ball diamonds being used.
Trevor Kotowich, who is the Regional Director of Emergency Management, noted that according to the province, there is an order in place that prohibits any league play of organized sports. But, ball diamonds and fields are allowed to be open to public use, as per the provincial government's recommendations.
As discussions on the topic came to a close, a decision to split the motion into two motions was made. The first motion, which was to keep playgrounds closed until signage was in place, was carried.
The second motion, which was to keep ball diamonds closed to organized sports, but open for public use, as long as people abide by provincial recommendations around social distancing, was also carried.
Before the vote, Heyman said she would like to have signs in place before opening the ball diamonds.
"People are aware already, they don't need a sign to tell them," said deMoissac.
Heyman affirmed that signage was being put in place based on the advice of the municipality's insurance provider.
