Some of Lloydminster’s indoor sports are eagerly waiting for word that they can begin operations again.
The entire city of Lloydminster falls under the Saskatchewan re-open plan, including Lloyd Lanes, which is on the Alberta side of the city. The province hasn’t yet announced a date they can re-open.
Owner Jody MacDonald says the bowling alley has been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 shutdowns, being a newer business.
“Our landlord has been really good about letting us just pay, you know, the interest of the lease, which is nice, but of course we still have quite a few payments coming out, so we have high hopes that we can open soon, and actually use the wage subsidy the government is offering.”
MacDonald adds that Government wage subsidies will help them, as they can ill-afford to take on any more loans. They’ve already gotten the Canada Emergency Business Account, but without wage supports, they cannot bring back laid off staff.
When Lloyd Lanes does get the all-clear, it will also have to adapt operations. Every second lane will be open, bowling balls will be sanitized after every group uses it, and collected at the front counter before play.
Macdonald explains that the size and space in their building allows ample opportunities to keep everyone physically distant.
“We’re gonna have [groups] come in at altered times, ten minutes before your lane time, you’ll come in, we’ll get you going, and then the next group comes in. So there’s not going to be, it’s not going to be a lot of people at any given time.”
The dates for the next phase of Saskatchewan’s re-opening, which will include indoor pools, rinks, sports and activities will be announced over the next two weeks.