"What about the Civic Centre?"

It's a wide and empty expanse at the Prince Rupert Civic Centre, the facility
has remained closed to the public since March as part of the city's response
to the COVID-19 pandemic

While the City continues to move tentatively forward towards relaxing some of the COVID-19 restrictions first put in place in March, so far there has been no further information offered up on when, or if the City's Recreation facilities will reopen to the public.

When it comes to the gradual reopening for service, in June, the City reopened the City's playgrounds and fields for the use of the public, while back in May it was announced that the City would reopen limited access to City Hall.

Though that access requires working the telephones and leaving a message in hopes of booking an appointment with municipal staff or officials.

The access rules appear to be an initiative that seems to be unique to Prince Rupert in the Northwest, with other municipalities in the region having opened their council offices to the public with social distancing measures in place, but no appointments required.

However, when it comes offering some guidance as to what the plan is for the city's large recreation facilities, the city's politicians and senior staffers have not had much to share; the topic one that has not been raised as part of any discussion at the most recent City Council sessions.

Mayor Lee Brain did make note of the return for the Recreation Department's Summer Camp program this week,  a topic which we highlighted last month when the launch of the 2020 Camp program was announced.

On Wednesday, the Mayor showcased the program through his Social media page, which if he gazes down just a bit towards his comments forum includes a question asking about the plan ahead for the Civic Centre.

City Manager Robert Long

When the City Council members returned to City Hall Chambers in May for one of their remote format appearances, City Manager Robert Long provided for what was called the COVID report, providing the advisory that a lot of the reopening plans depended on decisions from the province.

The May update from the City manager was something which at the time Councillor Adey noted should become a regular fixture at Council sessions.

"I would like to see us recognize that until the pandemic passes it is going to be an ongoing issue and I would like to feel that it is going to be a regular part of every council meeting. In terms of reporting where the city is at and how we are coordinating with the province in terms of the reopening plan. So I'm hoping that we can make that a regular thing"

Though as the weeks have moved forward, any further relay of information on the Civic Centre, Earl Mah Aquatic Centre or other facilities has been lacking in subsequent sessions.

So for Mr. Crook (and his enquiry of the mayor which so far has not seen delivered an answer), and many others in the city, whether Social media savvy or not. 

A group who may still await some kind of roll out of the city's plans ahead for the Civic Centre and other civic functions, perhaps the Council members could seek out some advice for the community at their July 20th council session.

For more notes related to Prince Rupert City Council see our archive page here.