Libraries and leisure centres closing in Saskatoon as COVID-19 forces cancellations across province

Is your group, business or facility closing because of COVID-19? Let us know by emailing guy.quenneville@cbc.ca or tweeting us @gqinsk

Saskatoon Public Library announced Sunday it is closing all of its library locations for the next two weeks as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Book holds will be suspended as a result of the closures, but book returns will remain available. Anyone unable to return books during this time will not receive a fine. 

Late fees for library books are also retroactively waved, dating back to Friday, March 13.

Library workers in Saskatoon will still be available during regular operation hours, either through phone or by emailing AskUs@saskatoonlibrary.ca.

Rinks and gyms closing 

The City of Saskatoon also announced on Sunday that its leisure centres would be closed, effective Monday morning, until further notice — including indoor and outdoor skating rinks, arenas and pools.

The Cosmo Civic Centre, Lakewood Civic Centre, Lawson Civic Centre, Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre, Shaw Centre and Saskatoon Field House will be closed Monday.

Also closed are indoor rinks at ACT Arena, Archibald Arena, Cosmo Arena, Gordie Howe Kinsmen Arena and Lions Arena.

Holiday Park Golf Course, Silverwood Golf Course, Wildwood Golf Course and Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and  Zoo will also close.

The University of Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Country Music Association and Nutrien Wonderhub in Saskatoon are also among organizations to announce new or expanded closures in light of the growing response to the COVID-19 coronavirus, including a province-wide ban on gatherings of more than 250 people. 

On Sunday, the university announced it was cancelling all recreational programming starting Monday at 6 a.m.

That includes: 

• Physical activity areas within the Physical Activity Complex, Education Building, Merlis Belsher Place and Griffiths Stadium.
• The Fit Centre, gymnasiums, gymnastics room, pools, squash courts, training facilities, dance studio, equipment desk, change room facilities, track, and any other areas of recreation.

The university also confirmed all intramural and clubs are suspended on further notice as of Monday morning. 

"We understand that these cancellations, in some cases, may have a monetary impact and we will work to find solutions if refunds for community programs are required," the university said in a press release. 

The university was also encouraging employees to work from home if they could. 

The new measures come just days after the university announced it was cancelling classes from Monday to Wednesday to allow teachers to prepare to teach the rest of the winter term remotely beginning on Thursday. 

The University of Regina is taking a nearly identical approach, cancelling all classes from Monday to Thursday so that teachers can prepare to begin teaching their students remotely.

In addition, the U of R announced on Sunday the closure of several of its facilities, including all gyms, the aquatic centre, the fitness and lifestyle centre until further notice.

All health services at the Dr. Paul Schwann Centre will be cancelled until further notice, as of 6 a.m. Monday. 

• Classes cancelled at U of R as 2 students test negative for COVID-19

K-12 schools will remain open, for the moment. 

Hold on to your Saskatoon library books

The Saskatoon Public Library service has asked patrons to hold onto their books, even overdue ones, for the time being.

The library service began waiving fines for all overdue materials beginning last Friday.

"We will continue to evaluate our services daily as new information is available," the service said in a Facebook post.

Nutrien Wonderhub

Also on Sunday, the board of directors announced Saskatoon's Nutrien Wonderhub will close for two weeks. 

The closure took effect on Sunday.

"We will be shifting our focus during this closure to provide families with ideas for fun, educational activities that will keep kids learning through play at home," the organization said in a Facebook post.

• Saskatchewan Science Centre temporarily closed as coronavirus spread continues

Country music awards postponed

The Saskatchewan Country Music Association has decided to hold off on hosting 31st annual SCMA Awards.

"The SCMA Board of Directors will be evaluating our course of action and we will be announcing our decision on April 5," the association said on its website.

A number of options are on the table — everything from rescheduling the awards to October to cancelling all awards-related events for 2020 and announcing the winners by email. The association is also open to "other creative ideas that materialize in the next two weeks."

Sports clubs

Play Sask Sports announced it's cancelling its leagues for the rest of the season.

Saskatoon Ultimate Disc Society is also halting sessions, as is the Saskatoon Adult Soccer league.