The City of Swift Current today announced that it will be closing all City-operated public recreation/leisure facilities as of Thursday, March 19 at the latest, until further notice, in order to prevent the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus in the community and to protect vulnerable citizens. In addition, all public lessons and programs that are held at these facilities are cancelled, effective 8 a.m., Tuesday, March 17.
Facilities able to close prior to Thursday, March 19 will do so. These facilities include:
Innovation Credit Union i-plex, including the Swift Current Curling Club
Fairview Arenas
The Aquatic Centre
The Swift Current Museum
The Art Gallery of Swift Current, including the Swift Current Public Library
Kinetic Park: Stockade and Palliser Pavilion
Lt. Colonel Clifton Centre
At this time, the facilities will remain operational from a staffing standpoint; however, they will be closed to public access. All City employees have been directed to practice social distancing and to exercise proper hygiene techniques, such as regular hand-washing and coughing/sneezing etiquette, as well as to stay home if they have symptoms of a common cold or flu.
Swift Current CAO Tim Marcus said: “Our priority is the health and safety of our citizens and our staff. By limiting non-essential contact at our facilities, we can ensure that the essential services we offer to the public remain intact.”
At present, City Hall will remain open to the public; however, the City is recommending that citizens avoid attending City Hall unless necessary.
“We’re taking these measures to limit non-essential, person-to-person contact,” said Marcus. “For example: we’re asking residents who normally pay their utility bills at City Hall to pay via online banking and, when they have inquiries, to call or email us rather than coming in person to ask questions, for the time being. These seem like small things, but they can have quite an impact on the prevention of the spread of COVID-19, we’re learning.”
Non-essential Contact/Inquiries:
In order to cut down on non-essential, person-to-person contact, citizens are asked, whenever possible, to avoid in-person visits to City Hall and to direct questions and concerns to via telephone or email. City of Swift Current staff are available from 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding Statutory Holidays.
For General inquiries, please contact City Hall at 306.778.2777 or admin@swiftcurrent.ca.
For Recreation/Leisure inquiries, please contact Community Services at 306.778.2787 or communityservices@swiftcurrent.ca.
For Taxation inquiries, please contact 306.778.2704 or n.lemay@swiftcurrent.ca.
For Utility Billing inquiries, please contact 306.778.2731 or customerservice@swiftcurrent.ca.
For Planning inquiries, including Bylaw, Business Development and Building Services, please contact 306.778.2714 or plng@swiftcurrent.ca.
For Infrastructure & Operations inquiries, including Engineering, Environmental Services and Public Works, please contact 306.778.2748 or eng@swiftcurrent.ca.
For Light & Power inquiries, please contact 306.778.2771 or lightandpower@swiftcurrent.ca.
COVID-19 Information:
Citizens who wish to learn more about 2019 Novel Coronavirus can find reliable information via the following links:
Public Health Agency of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus.html
Government of Saskatchewan (including the Saskatchewan COVID-19 Preparedness Plan): https://www.saskatchewan.ca/coronavirus#utm_campaign=q2_2015&utm_medium=short&utm_source=%2Fcoronavirus
