Plan for Reopening the Hope & Area Recreation Centre

The Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) is looking forward to welcoming back patrons at the Hope & Area Recreation Centre and other facilities over the next several months.

As COVID-19 continues to evolve in the province, recreation-based services and facilities are required to follow directions from various health authorities, including the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Fraser Health, and WorkSafeBC. The FVRD is working toward meeting all required guidelines and will be opening its facilities in a phased approach. With a large facility and many stakeholders, there are many logistics to iron out and more detailed information will be shared as soon as it is available.

“It’s clear that staying active is vital to our health and wellness,” said Terry Raymond, Electoral Area A Director and Chair of the Recreation, Culture & Airpark Services Commission who oversees the Recreation Centre and its associated services in the broader area. “As we navigate the reopening plans, our priority is the health and safety of all staff and patrons as we take cautious steps forward to again offer services to the community.”

Patrons must keep in mind that there will be new protocols to follow, smaller capacity limits, and registration for services that may have previously been offered as “drop-in”. Despite these extra requirements, the FVRD is confident that it will still result in an excellent experience for all visitors.

Once the indoor pools open, all membership passes will be automatically reinstated with the remaining time that was present on the membership before the COVID-19 closure. Membership passes will be reinstated earlier if visiting the facility before the pools open. If you would like a prorated refund for the unused time on your membership pass since the COVID-19 closure, please contact the Hope & Area Recreation Centre at 604-869-2304.

Reopening Plan Summary

Phase 1 (current state)

• Virtual (online, pre-recorded) fitness and recreation videos

Phase 2 (mid-summer*)

• Continue with virtual (online, pre-recorded) fitness programming
• Open the Almer Carlson Outdoor Pool in North Bend
• Introduce outdoor fitness classes
• Open the Weight Room and Cardio Room

All facilities listed would have limited capacity, no change room access, reduced operational hours, and pre-registration will be required.

Phase 3 (late summer*)

• Continue outdoor fitness classes (weather permitting) and virtual fitness classes
• Continued access to Weight Room and Cardio Room
• Restore indoor fitness programs
• Lift restrictions on facility bookings if appropriate
• Expand hours and amenities available, some services may still be limited

Phase 4 (early fall*)

• Continued access to Weight Room and Cardio Room
• Continued indoor fitness classes
• Continue facility bookings
• Restore licensed after school program, Club Child, with the start of school year
• Restore some registered recreation programs
• Open arena for public skating and allow ice time rentals for practice with restrictions
• Open indoor pool to Aquafit classes, swim clubs and public lane swimming
• Open some additional facilities for user group rentals/ bookings

* Dates are targets only and may change based on changing conditions

Residents are encouraged to follow the Hope & Area Recreation Centre Facebook page (@HopeRecreation) as well as the FVRD website (www.fvrd.ca) for updates. If you have any questions or concerns please email us at leisure@fvrd.ca.