ARNPRIOR – Arnprior’s Seniors Active Living Centre (SALC) and Men’s Shed is set to re-open its doors to local seniors next Monday, (Aug. 17 )with the appropriate safety protocols in place as part of Ontario’s Stage Three reopening.

“The pandemic has presented many different challenges to our community and we understand that the SALC is a significant part of many of our members’ lives that has been missing over the past few months,” , Arnprior Regional Health’s (ARH) vice president, People and Community Programs, Janice Marks said. “We are so pleased our reopening plan will once again deliver meaningful programming for our local seniors while protecting their health and safety.”

The SALC will offer members programming that can accommodate physical distancing and sessions will run at approximately 40 per cent capacity. Members will also be required to wear a mask when inside the centre unless they are at their marked area to participate in the activity (i.e. yoga, cornhole).

“We partnered closely with the ARH team and consulted other community agencies similar to the SALC to determine best practices for a safe reopening,” SALC coordinator Glenn Arthur said. “We look forward to welcoming our members back – and helping individuals reconnect with friends and re-engage in programming safely.”

Additional safety protocols include:

• Pre-registration for all programs
• Active screening at the entrance
• Enhanced cleaning including between sessions
• Tape on the floor to reinforce physical distancing
• Hand washing stations

As part of the SALC’s reopening, its Men’s Shed will also re-open on Aug. 18 and run every Tuesday and Thursday. The Shed’s 3,000 square feet of space will safely accommodate 15 members at a time to ensure physical distancing.

“The guys are excited to officially re-open our doors with the necessary safety measures in place and although we’ll be at a distance, it will be wonderful to be together again,” founding member of the Arnprior-McNab-Braeside Men’s Shed Darrel O’Shaughnessy said. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, we stayed committed to helping the community by building protective shields and other equipment for the Hospital, Grove and many other organizations – this important work will continue.”

When the COVID-19 outbreak happened, the SALC transitioned to offer some virtual programming to its members. For members who may not be ready to return to in-person programming, the SALC will continue providing a virtual option.

The SALC program calendar is available here.