THUNDER BAY – Local gyms and pools have mixed emotions over Ontario’s move into step three.
As Ontario moves into step three of its economic reopening plan, many industries in the city seem to be having trouble finding enough staff to be able to open to the new capacity that is now allowed.
The same might not be true for local gyms like Push Fitness Centre owned by Jenn Bisignano, who has managed to have her entire full time staff return to their normal duties.
“Having to train new people is a really big deal at a time like this,” says Bisignano, “I got so lucky, every single one of my staff is coming back and I just feel so blessed for that.”
Not everyone has managed to be as lucky in their search for staff. Thunder Bay’s indoor recreational facilities will be running at reduced hours while opening in phase three, a limitation caused by a shortage of trained aquatic staff.
“Now that we’re moving into step three we are able to start opening our indoor facilities, but that’s going to take a little bit of time” says Leah Prentice, director of recreation and culture for the City of Thunder Bay.
“Aquatic staffing has been a nation-wide challenge for a long time, longer than the pandemic. But, of course being closed for significant amounts of time, staff getting other jobs, other summer jobs, means we just don’t have the bodies right now to maintain our regular hours.”
Volunteer Pool will be open Monday, July 19th with limited hours. The Complex will open Monday, July 26th with limited hours.
