May 4 - Mayor Greg Dionne Provides an Update on COVID-19
The City of Prince Albert is working with the Government of Saskatchewan to minimize the COVID-19 virus in our community.
This situation is changing rapidly. Check the Government of Saskatchewan's COVID 19 website for comprehensive information on self-assessment, the testing tool, travel recommendations and more.
This page will address changes made within the City of Prince Albert and information on facilties and city operations during the COVID 19 crisis.
For the latest information please subscribe to our News and Notices page. Information will be posted on that page first.
| City Hall Main Floor Open |
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Starting Monday, June 22, the main floor of City Hall will be open to the public to accommodate bill payments and other regular transactions. The building will be open Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. The City will be following COVID-19 regulations and would like visitors to City Hall to take note of the following:
All customers will be greeted by a security staff member who will provide assistance and direction. Some may be required to line up outside until they can be safely accommodated.
Other City Hall Business For those that require it, individuals are asked to contact departments directly to schedule meetings that are not transactions. This includes any meetings for the 2nd and 3rd floor of City Hall (Planning and Development, Public Works, Community Services, Clerks and Mayor and City Manager's Office). |
| Playgrounds, Skatepark, Basketball Courts |
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The Government of Saskatchewan announced as part of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan, playgrounds and other outdoor amenities can re-open Friday, June 12th. In accordance with that order, the City of Prince Albert will re-open playgrounds, the Kinsmen Skateboard & BMX Park and the outdoor basketball courts at the Alfred Jenkins Field House and Midtown and Crescent Acres Community Clubs Friday with a number of pre-cautions. For all locations, residents are reminded to continue to comply with the COVID-19 public health orders in place including regular hand washing, gathering restrictions of less than 30 people and maintaining social distancing of 2 metres. Those who are sick or have symptoms related to COVID-19 must not use any public amenities. Playgrounds City of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division and Prince Albert Catholic School Division playgrounds and play structures will re-open Friday. When attending playgrounds and play structures parents and children are advised - Individuals who are sick should stay home - A physical distance of 2 metres should be maintained at all times - Individuals should wash their hands before and after using parks and playgrounds - Avoid overcrowding. Individual groups must not exceed the restrictions on public gatherings - If the playground is busy, come back when it is not as busy, or use another play area
Please be advised that the Alfred Jenkins Field House Jumpstart Playground and the Lions Park Playground are both undergoing major renovations and will remain closed.
Kinsmen Skateboard & BMX Park The Kinsmen Skateboard & BMX Park located adjacent to the southwest parking lot of the Art Hauser Centre will re-open Friday with set hours. The fence around the Skateboard Park will remain in place to allow for monitoring of the number of people within the park. An entrance will allow up to 30 people at a time in from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. Parents that accompany their children must stay in their vehicles and people not using the skateboard park must stay clear of the area.
Basketball Courts The 3X3 basketball courts in the northwest corner of the Alfred Jenkins Field House parking lot and the basketball courts at Midtown and Crescent Acres Community Clubs will re-open Friday. These courts will be available daily from dawn to dusk.
Due to the construction at the Jumpstart Playground at the Field House, participants must enter the basketball courts through the northwest gate off the Rotary Trail.
Outdoor Tennis and Pickleball Courts Now Open These courts are considered Outdoor Individual Recreation and are now permitted to be open. Guidelines continue to restrict any tournaments, lessons, and leagues, the closure of clubhouses and observing the current limits on group gatherings (10 people maximum). Users are also reminded to continue to practice safe hand hygiene and review the recommendations set by Tennis Canada.
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| Outdoor Sports Fields, Kinsmen Water Park, Spray Parks - NEW JUNE 25 |
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Outdoor Sports Fields As of June 22 fields are open for bookings. Games can begin June 29. Spray Parks Target July 2nd Opening with Staff Supervision City staff continue to prepare the seven spray parks for the season and if all components and systems are functioning properly after testing, they are targeting Thursday, July 2nd to open. The only exception is the new Alfred’s Spray Park at Lions Park, where construction of the new components is expected to be completed later in July. There is no admission to attend any of the spray parks in the city. The hours for all spray parks will be 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily, including weekends. There will be a Staff Supervisor at the spray parks during these hours to provide guidance to make sure the regulations are adhered to by the Public as per the Provincial Guidelines. These staff members are being re-deployed, as the Playground Program will not operate for 2020 due to limited gathering numbers and other restrictions. Due to regulations, the paddling pools at Hazeldell and Crescent Heights will not be opening this summer. Main Pool at Kinsmen Water Park to Open July 10th Given gathering restrictions and other recommendations of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan, the pool will only be available through group bookings. . Drop-in public swimming will not be permitted and access for groups must be coordinated through a single individual. Bookings will be taken only by calling the Water Park at 306-953-4835 starting at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7th. The first day of operation will be Friday, July 10th. Due to restrictions the water slides, hot tub and tot pool will not be available this summer. Due to restrictions, bookings will be limited to up to 12 people for lane swimming and up to 45 people for the pool. There are set times available with each time slot lasting 90 minutes. More information is available by calling the Water Park at 306-953-4835. |
| Cooke Municipal Golf Course |
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Cooke Municipal Golf course is now open for the season. Tee times are available online and by calling 306-763-2502. Cooke will be following the restrictions in place for golf courses as determined by the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan. |
| Garage and Yard Sales |
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Garage and yard sales are not permitted until further notice. Garage and Yard sales are not considered critical public services and are not named as an allowable business under the Saskatchewan ReOpen plan. |
| Airport |
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The Prince Albert Airport is open. Please see the Arrivals and Departures page for details on flights. |
| Parking Tickets |
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Effective Tuesday, May 19, 2020 parking tickets for expired meters downtown or timed limitations in residential neighourhoods were re-instsated. As before, parking tickets will also continue to be issued for safety and access violations such as parking in front of a fire hydrant, in a Fire Lane, a Bus Stop, No Parking Zones or in a Disability Stall without the placard remain in effect.
Use the Drop Box by the Main Entrance (West Doors of City Hall). Cheque or Money Orders only, do not include cash |
| Cemetery |
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The South Hill Cemetery remains open. Administrative arrangements for a plot can be made by phone or through email.
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| Impound Lot |
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We are towing vehicles for unpaid parking violations as well as high risk offences such as stunting, exceeding the speed limit by double, driving impaired or leaving an unregistered vehicle on the road. For more details including further infractions that would prompt towing see https://www.sgi.sk.ca/impoundment
If your vehicle has been towed and you need to make arrangements to pick it up or collect belongings from your vehicle you can make an appointment by calling 306-953-4330. |
| Property Taxes |
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Payment options:
Covid-response Property Tax Deferral Program is now closed for submissions. The Covid-response Property Tax Deferral Program was created to allow property owners that suffered serious financial hardship due to COVID-19 as a result of employment income interruption or business impact to submit that they qualify to have their tax payment deadline moved to September 30, 2020. The program deadline was June 22, 2020 and is now closed for submissions. |
| Permits |
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While City Hall will be closed to the public, City business will continue as best as possible given the circumstances. Please contact the department by email or phone with any questions about your permit or the permit process.
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| Business Licenses |
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| Water Bills |
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Water Shut Offs Water shut offs for water accounts in arrears are temporarily suspended. We continue to tag properties in arrears to notify them they are past due. We encourage anyone in arrears to discuss payment plan options with us by calling the Water Department.
Payment Options
Penalties The City will continue to bill for utility services as normal, however, effective April 1, 2020, the City will cease charging penalties on water accounts in arrears until September 30, 2020. A reminder letter indicating a past due account will still be mailed. Prior to the account approaching the three month mark, the property will be provided with notice to encourage the account holder to contact the water department to arrange for a payment plan. |
| Water Meter Replacements |
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The Water meter installation program continues. Homes that still require a new meter need to immediately book an installation time by calling 1-855-455-3693. Installers are following health protocols to ensure safety while entering people’s homes. If any occupant has concerns over social distancing please notify the call centre so that an appointment can be booked for a later date. Doing so will avoid any disconnection of services. |
| Transit |
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The Prince Albert Transit System continues to operate but service hours have changed.
Effective immediately, bus passes will be sold at regular rates. July bus passes can be purchased at City Hall or at the following vendor locations throughout the City. Please note that discounted bus passes are only available at City hall.
Safety precautions have been implemented on the system. Plexiglas has been installed to protect drivers and high touch surfaces are being cleaned after each round and social distancing recommendations are being followed (two meters between people). Drivers continue to have the authority to refuse riders if the bus is too full. |
| Facilities and Services that Are Open or Opening |
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City Hall - First Floor Cemetery Prince Albert Arts Centre - Effective July 6 As of June 12, 2020 All playgrounds (except Alfred Jenkins Field House JumpStart playground and Lions Park as both are undergoing renovations) Kinsmen Skateboard and BMX Park Outdoor Basketball Courts |
| Facilities Closed to the Public |
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As of June 22, 2020: City Hall - 2nd and 3rd Floor will be closed to the public. First floor is open for bill payments and transactions.
As of March 17, 2020
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Executive Committee and City Council Meetings |
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The Main Floor of City Hall has opened and though bill payments and other regular transactions are being conducted within the facility, COVID-19 regulations and guidelines are limiting the capacity of attendees at meetings held in the Council Chamber. At this time, the City is requesting that only written submissions from the public be accepted and provided for public meetings of City Council and Executive Committee. You can view agendas and minutes for upcoming meetings online. If you would like to submit correspondence please email the City Clerk.
The local media is currently attending all City Council meetings and reporting to the public regarding the items considered at the meeting. As well, all Council meetings are being broadcast live on Shaw TV Channel 10 and repeats again on Wednesday's at 2:30 p.m. |
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Flush ONLY Toilet Paper |
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In recognition that there are toilet paper shortages currently, as well as an increased use of disinfecting wipes, we remind you that flushing certain items down the toilet may result in expensive maintenance issues for homeowners and the community. Please, toilet paper only.
***Given toilet paper shortages in recent weeks, please know that: Only human waste and toilet paper should be flushed down your toilet. Even disposable wipes, Kleenex and paper towel can clog your pipes and toilet and end in expensive repairs.
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Here are more informative videos from some of our City's top Physicians.
The City of Prince Albert would like to announce that the Cooke Municipal Golf Course will be open for the 2020 season starting Friday, May 22, 2020. Tee times will be available online and over the phone beginning Thursday, May 21st.
The decision to open the golf course required review given the operational requirements and revenue losses associated with restrictions. “I want to apologize to our staff and other members of the golf community that took unnecessary abuse over the May Long Weekend regarding the delayed opening of the golf course for the 2020 season. This was not their decision,” said Mayor Greg Dionne. “It was a tough decision that required careful consideration and it was ours to make. To the season pass holders that were upset about losing minimal time over the weekend, you will easily make it up since at this point, all tournaments will not be proceeding.”
“City Council is aware of the challenges the golf course will have this year and understands the responsibility to provide a service that is safe and operated in a fiscally responsible way,” added Dionne. “We are looking forward to providing a much needed recreation option in Prince Albert, but we ask for a little patience as we work through the regulations and the implications for a publicly owned course.”
A number of safety procedures will be in place when the course opens and patrons need to be aware that the expectation is that all safety protocols be followed. “We need to remember that this is a test for the public to respect the Golf Course guidelines in the ReOpen Plan,” said Dionne. “If you cannot respect the rules, you will not be able to golf at our facility.”
For those interested in golfing this season, please take note of restrictions in place for golf courses and the following operational items:
- A new washroom will be available at the exterior of the PA Golf & Curling Centre. All other washrooms will be closed under the Golf Course Guidelines released by the Province.
- There will be no Food & Beverage Cart service to start the season as outlined under the Golf Course Guidelines released by the Province.
- Food & Beverage Service will be available by pick-up through the new serving window at the PA Golf & Curling Centre.
