Fire Chief Kris Olsen spoke to reporters on Friday from the Emergency Operations Centre now operational on the second floor of City Hall. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

COVID-19

P.A. city facilities remain open despite COVID-19 concerns

Mar 17, 2020 | 8:00 AM

Amid closures in other municipalities including Saskatoon and Melfort, city facilities in Prince Albert remain open, although top city officials caution that given the fast changing situation, new measures could soon be announced. The mayor suggested actions taken by other cities had created some confusion regarding how municipalities were supposed to be responding regarding civic locations.

In a media release, the City of P.A. said the majority of third party events set to take place at city facilities have been cancelled including tournaments.

“Attendance at facilities is very low and we are able to achieve parameters of social distancing,” said Fire Chief Kris Olsen in the release. “Given announcements from other municipalities, we will be evaluating the impact of closures on our staff and the public and expect to have more information soon.”

Other cities sending ‘mixed signals’

Speaking to paNOW after Monday night’s city council meeting Mayor Greg Dionne said closures in other cities had sent the public “mixed signals.”

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“We should be following provincial guidelines, but some cities have decided to close city hall. Well how are people going to operate and pay their bills,” he questioned. “And you got to think of your staff, this could go on for a while.”

Prince Albert has enacted its Emergency Operations Centre, meaning city department heads meet daily to discuss new developments and coordinate responses. Dionne said they are in regular contact with the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

Dionne explained on Tuesday, city managers and lead emergency operations personnel from 16 municipalities across the Saskatchewan would be having a conference call with the province to talk about COVID-19.

Ultimately Dionne said the decision to close P.A.’s public facilities is up to the province.

“This is health issue, it belongs with the province,” he said.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom