Hope’s largest fitness facility will start re-opening in phases beginning in the middle of the summer, together with the outdoor pool in North Bend.
In an update earlier this month, the Fraser Valley Regional District outlined their plans to start opening these two facilities in stages. Some access to Hope’s rec centre will start this summer, with indoor classes set to start late summer and the indoor pool opening in early fall. The FVRD is not giving exact dates for their re-opening plan, instead referring to “mid-summer” and “late summer.”
By the middle of summer, recreation in Hope will consist of outdoor fitness classes, access to the recreation centre’s weight and cardio room. The Almer Carlson outdoor pool in North Bend is set to open Aug. 1. People who want to use the pool will need to register in advance, registration will open on Mondays for the following week and can be done online or by phone at 604-869-2304. Pool goers will also have to arrive in their swimsuits, as change rooms won’t be available.
The rec centre is also offering online, pre-recorder classes on Youtube.
Read more: FVRD guidelines for the opening of the Almer Carlson pool
By late summer, indoor fitness programs will resume and by fall the rec centre’s pool and arena will re-open to public skating and ice time rentals.
Also in the fall, some recreation programs offered by registration will start up again, as will the after school program Club Child.
For those holding membership passes, they will be automatically reinstated when the indoor pool opens in the fall, or if someone visits the facility before this their pass will be reinstated at that time. Passes will be reinstated with the amount that existed on the pass before the COVID-19 facility shutdown, meaning passholders won’t have to pay for the months the rec centre was closed.
Passholders can also opt to get a prorated refund for these months, rather than have the time added to their pass. Contact the rec centre at 604-869-2304 for this option.
Some changes may greet patrons, the FVRD stated, including new protocols to follow and having to register for some services that were previously drop in.
Terry Raymond, electoral director for Area A and chair of the commission that oversees recreation services in the area, said the priorities going forward are the ‘health and safety of all staff and patrons’ and referenced the ‘cautious steps’ being taken to re-open these services to the public.
From the FVRD: Reopening Plan Summary Phase 1 (current state)
nVirtual (online, pre-recorded) fitness and recreation videos
Phase 2 (mid-summer*)
n Continue with virtual (online, pre-recorded) fitness programming
n Open the Almer Carlson Outdoor Pool in North Bend
n Introduce outdoor fitness classes
n 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*)
n Continue outdoor fitness classes (weather permitting) and virtual fitness classes
n Continued access to Weight Room and Cardio Room
n Restore indoor fitness programs
n Lift restrictions on facility bookings if appropriate
n Expand hours and amenities available, some services may still be limited
Phase 4 (early fall*)
n Continued access to Weight Room and Cardio Room
n Continued indoor fitness classes
n Continue facility bookings
n Restore licensed after school program, Club Child, with the start of school year
n Restore some registered recreation programs
n Open arena for public skating and allow ice time rentals for practice with restrictions
n Open indoor pool to Aquafit classes, swim clubs and public lane swimming
n Open some additional facilities for user group rentals/ bookings
* Dates are targets only and may change based on changing conditions
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email:
emelie.peacock@hopestandard.com