As the province has made it through a few weeks of Stage 2 of its relaunching strategy, residents of St. Albert can now look forward to even more cultural clubs and facilities reopening in the coming weeks.
Earlier this week, Arts and Heritage St. Albert announced that it had already reopened the Heritage Sites at the River Lots after the successful reopening of the Musée Héritage Museum and Art Gallery of St. Albert two weeks prior. Though the grain elevators are still closed for restoration, the train station is opening – along with River Lots 23 and 24, which include La Maison Chevigny, Brosseau Granary, Cunningham House and Hogan House – Wednesday through Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
Renewed access to these cultural experiences shouldn’t cause any further dismay about the pandemic, museum director Shari Strachan explained. In a YouTube video that offered the announcement, she said, “The safety of our visitors and staff is paramount, and safety protocols are in place.”
The reduced operating hours are a part of that safety protocol program.
Doors set to reopen at the library, legion next week
Both the Royal Canadian Legion and the St. Albert Public Library sent out notices that they will both reopen on Thursday, July 2.
“We are proceeding with great caution and with public safety top of mind, but the community needs their library,” library CEO Peter Bailey said in an emailed announcement. “We can’t wait to welcome people back and to re-establish some of the crucial library services that people count on.”
The Downtown Library will resume in-person library services, including in-person holds pickup, browsing access to books and other physical collections, drop-in public computer access and in-person staff assistance. There will be various limitations, safety controls and precautions in effect including limited entries, physical distancing rules, and limited hours of operation from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. The library will be closed on Sundays.
The Jensen Lakes Library is set to resume in-person library services sometime in July.
The current Curbside Pickup service at the branch location will soon be phased out so library patrons can resume their use of the online holds system. The online Curbside Pickup form has already been turned off.
Patrons will be able to place holds through their regular library account starting on Monday, June 29, for pickup at the Downtown Library. The book return at Jensen Lakes Library will reopen on June 30, and Jensen Lakes Library will be available as a pickup location once it is ready to reopen.
“Reopening the Library’s physical doors involves a tremendous number of moving parts, and we continue to plan every aspect of it with service and safety as our guiding principles,” Bailey continued.
“Processes and open hours will continue to evolve as we move forward through Phase 2 of our Plan. In the meantime, we are excited to welcome many of our staff back from temporary lay-offs, and to welcome the community back into the building. Those in-person connections and supports are an integral part of the Library’s service to the community.”
More details on the reopening can be found soon on the library’s website at sapl.ca.
The Morinville Community Library announced on its Facebook page that its patrons could pick up holds, Book Bundles and more at its Grab and Go Storefront Library in the building lobby starting Monday, June 29. It will be open Monday from 1 to 4 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closed for lunch noon to 1 p.m.), and Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (again closed for lunch).
The library space can be accessed Mondays 1 to 4 p.m., Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except lunch), Wednesdays and Fridays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except lunch), and Thursdays 1 to 7 p.m. Its website would be updated on Monday with the booking links and other details.
Curbside pickup will still be available on Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. by appointment.
If people want to come in and browse or use the computers, they need to first make an appointment by calling 780-939-3292 or filling out a form online at morinvillepubliclibrary.schedulista.com.
The Legion will also uphold stringent health regulations in order to get its membership back with the utmost concern for their health and safety.
“It is far from business as normal and we have many rules to follow including social distancing. There will be no meat draws, Chase the President, pool or darts for at least the month of July,” read the Legion’s newsletter, noting the official reopening will be Thursday, July 2, from noon to 6 p.m., though the place will host an outdoor Canada Day Pancake Breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. on July 1. The cost will be $5. People are asked to contact Rhonda Egar-Lee at [email protected] or by calling 780-916-4866.
