City recalls 195 employees, announces partial library, rec centre openings

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This article was published 07/07/2020 (1920 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The city of Winnipeg is recalling nearly 200 laid-off workers as it prepares to partially reopen pools and libraries.

At a press conference Tuesday, Mayor Brian Bowman and emergency operations manager Jason Shaw announced city libraries — with the exception of the Cornish branch, which is currently undergoing renovations — would be open for pickups, holds, returns and telephone reference services later this month or in early August.

The city also announced that the Cindy Klassen Recreation Complex and the Pan Am Pool would reopen with limited access July 20.

The reopenings mean 195 of the approximately 927 community service and transit employees laid off at the outset of the pandemic are being recalled. Nearly 400 workers were recalled in June.

“We know these are Winnipeggers, we know these are Winnipeggers with families,” Bowman said. “I want to thank them for coming back to work and helping provide the services that Winnipeggers expect of their municipal government.”

Pools and recreation centres will operate with limited access to fitness equipment, walking tracks and pools, Shaw said. Pre-registered bookings for fitness amenities and pools will continue, as will increased cleaning schedules and reduced building capacities.

Feedback on the city’s COVID-19 precautionary reopening measures has been positive, Shaw said, noting patrons have been maintaining appropriate social distances on their own and have been patient with the changes.

Resumption of more library services and expanded hours of operation will be made in the coming weeks, he said.

julia-simone.rutgers@freepress.mb.ca