Masich Place Stadium will reopen to the public with full, regular hours on Wednesday.
Renovations to the stadium and pandemic concerns prompted the facility to be close to the public this year. Starting on Wednesday, the stadium track will be open for walkers from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week – except when the facility is booked by user groups.
“Council and staff are working to reopen as many facilities as we responsibly can, while still trying to keep all of us safe during the global pandemic. We realize members of the community are extremely eager to return doing the activities they enjoy,” Mayor Lyn Hall said in a press release. “This is a difficult time and council is extremely grateful for the patience and understanding of residents as we navigate these uncharted waters.”
The announcement on Friday that the facility would reopen with full normal hours is a change from plans announced last month. A city staff report to city council on June 15 said the stadium would only reopen from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., five days a week because of staffing cuts approved by city council in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Construction work on the stadium is scheduled to continue, and be completed by the end of summer. Access to the facility will be from the Massey entrance and residents are asked to avoid construction zones and practice social distancing while using the track.
The city is working with local sports organizations to allow them to return to play on city fields and ball diamonds, a city statement released Friday said. Groups will be required to have a safety plan in place which aligns with the city's safety plan.
