Steam rooms, pools and rinks: Here’s what’s back in service in Calgary

After more than two weeks of Stage 4 emergency water restrictions — the result of a main water break on Dec. 30 — Calgary’s taps are flowing once again.

The City of Calgary announced on Jan. 16 that it would be lifting emergency water restrictions, which required residents to conserve water for a total of 17 days.

“This morning, the final pump at the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant was activated, increasing flow through the feeder main,” said the City in a statement. “The system remains stable based on ongoing monitoring. All water restrictions are now lifted, effective immediately.”

Pools were closed, steam rooms shuttered, and ice rinks cleared — but now they’ll all be back in service, as early as January 17. The City says it expects to deactivate the Municipal Emergency Plan and close the Emergency Operations Centre by the end of the day.

“To those of you who cut your water use at home or at work, you made a difference, and we truly appreciate you,” said Calgary Emergency Management Agency Chief Sue Henry in a statement. “Thank you also to our business community that helped to save water.”

Things are moving quickly, and if you’ve been desperate to hit the steam room here in Calgary, you won’t have to wait much longer. Here’s everything opening up again in Calgary now that the water restrictions have been lifted.

Operations return to normal

The City noted the following recreation services will reopen as early as the evening of Jan. 16:

• Steam rooms — reopening Friday, Jan. 16
• Hot tubs and kiddie pools — reopening Saturday, Jan. 17
• Shouldice Aquatic Centre — reopening Monday, Jan. 19
• Arenas and ice rinks — will resume regular ice surface flooding frequency as of Friday, Jan. 16

Up-to-date information on the status of pool facilities near you can be found on the City of Calgary’s website.

This is great news for Calgary residents, who have been a little grumbly about the unexpected pipe burst and emergency restrictions. Now that they’ve been lifted, it’ll soon be time to hit the pool.

Give yourself a pat on the back, Calgary. We did it!

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