More people will be allowed in various sections of the Hay River Community Centre under new Covid-19 occupancy restrictions approved by the GNWT.

The changes, which included the relaxation of some other restrictions, were applied for by the Town of Hay River and approval was received on June 4.

SA国际影视传媒淔or the most part, there were no surprises to the (occupancy limits) that we have requested,SA国际影视传媒� said Stephane Millette, the recreation director with the Town of Hay River, during the June 8 online meeting of town council.

Many of the changes involved the aquatic centre.

In comments to The Hub, Millette said the maximum occupancy for the entire aquatic centre was increased from 22 to 35.

SA国际影视传媒淪pecifically, one of the changes that will impact programming and local swimmers is weSA国际影视传媒檙e allowed to increase again to our normal number of lanes, which is four, with up to three swimmers per lane,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

The hot tub occupancy had been set at four, but now itSA国际影视传媒檚 been increased to eight people, he added. SA国际影视传媒淎gain, as long as people can physically distance and follow other Covid best practices, weSA国际影视传媒檙e allowed to have up to eight people in the hot tub.SA国际影视传媒�

Another change at the aquatic centre is it is being allowed to reopen the water slide and splash park equipment under supervised operation.

SA国际影视传媒淭hose we were not allowed to use previously because there were concerns about it being difficult to physically distance,SA国际影视传媒� said Millette.

One other change at the aquatic centre is that shower use is allowed again in the change rooms as long as they are individual shower stalls.

There are occupancy changes in other parts of the community centre.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think the other impact regarding the rest of the community centre is that the occupancies were increased, and that will allow for private rentals of the rental rooms and at the arena ice surface and the curling ice surface for special events,SA国际影视传媒� said Millette. SA国际影视传媒淚 think thereSA国际影视传媒檒l be more room for special events that can occur because those occupancies have been increased. Generally, theySA国际影视传媒檝e been at least doubled of what they were this winter.SA国际影视传媒�

The arena ice surface had a maximum occupancy of 35 and itSA国际影视传媒檚 been increased to 40 for summer rentals.

The curling rink had a maximum occupancy of 25 and itSA国际影视传媒檚 been increased to 60 for summer rentals.

Millette noted that groups and organizations can also contact the GNWT if they would like to exceed the occupancy limits for special events.

SA国际影视传媒淏asically, the GNWT would like those groups to apply and submit a plan for how they would ensure that their event is safe as per the GNWTSA国际影视传媒檚 Covid guidelines,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Other areas of the community centre, such as meeting rooms, have also seen adjustments to their occupancy limits.

Millette said the changes mean the community centre is moving towards normalcy.

SA国际影视传媒淏ecause it affects a few of the areas and a few of the operations, I think weSA国际影视传媒檙e a few steps closer to normal,SA国际影视传媒� said the recreation director.