Strangway Centre back in action after 7-month layoff

Troy Shantz Another sign of normalcy appeared this week with the reopening of the Strangway Centre, seven months after its activities were mothballed.

Troy Shantz

Another sign of normalcy appeared this week with the reopening of the Strangway Centre, seven months after its activities were mothballed.

With pandemic precautions now in place, the city-owned community centre on East Street is gradually resuming fitness programs, how-to workshops, music lessons, guest speakers and other activities.

“The plan that’s been proposed has been approved by Lambton Public Health and our own in-house health and safety officer,” community services manager Stacey Forfar told city council recently.

“It’s a roll out of what’s currently available, and what can be managed.”

The centre’s studio, craft room and hobby shop have also reopened, with limited capacity and social distancing restrictions in place.

Participants are required to pre-register for programs two weeks in advance.

A cleaning company has been hired to do a complete sanitization each evening, city staff said.

The community centre had 428 paid memberships when it shut down in March and they are being credited for the time missed. Refunds are also available.

“If we get specific requests for a refund, of course we would be happy to do that with folks,” Forfar said. “We want people to be comfortable with the facility and come out and use it when they’re ready.”

Staff and patrons are screened daily, and designated entrances and exits are used, based on the program’s location.

Participants should arrive 15 minutes early and exit as soon as they’re done, the city said. Spectators and the general public are not permitted.

The approved activities were evaluated on ability to maintain a physical distance of two metres, breathing intensity, and the ability to clean and disinfect spaces and equipment, the city said.

Newton Centre and its community drop-in programs in Newton Park remain closed.

For more about available programs and registration, visit https://www.sarnia.ca/things-to-do/facilities/the-strangway-centre/