June 11, 2020
As the province begins to open access to business and activities, the current COVID-19 restriction status is getting even more difficult to keep up with. Things are again changing quickly and I am very appreciative of the help I get from Thomas, our Alberta Health Services inspector. He is always readily available to answer questions and help make sure that we continue to operate the Resort in a safe … and legal manner.
The provincial government previously announced a multiple stage process for getting life back to normal. Stage One was implemented earlier this summer and allowed restaurants to open at reduced capacity, as well as other things. At this time there was a guide published for campgrounds, but none of the items seemed to really apply to our specific situation at all. Stage Two begins this weekend. Stage Three was to see an increase in the size of groups that could congregate, as well as allow places like movie theaters to open again. This is the stage that I was paying close attention to as it seemed to be the most relevant to the Resort.
However, it was announced earlier this week that some items that had been scheduled for Stage Three, are now moved to Stage Two. This includes having groups of up to 100 people in outdoor gatherings (while abiding by physical distancing requirements). In addition, typical daily campgrounds will now be permitted to use all of their campsites, and no longer need to keep every second one vacant. Even more importantly, group camping will be permitted again.
After speaking with Thomas, we determined that Fawcett Lake Resort can interpret the new Stage Two definition to loosen some of the COVID-19 restrictions that were put in place earlier this season. Specifically, the Picnic Shelters and the Moose Park Group Area will become available again for scheduled private functions. In addition the temporary rule prohibiting overnight guests on the Resort will become less restrictive. Please see the bottom of this update for details.
If you are interesting in booking a private function for either of the Picnic Shelters, or an overnight function in Moose Park, please contact the Events Coordinator (events@fawcettlakeresort.com).
An important change is that, all Annual Campers are now required to keep a current record of all guests that they have brought to the Resort over the most recent two week period. In the event of an outbreak at the Resort, you will be responsible to notify these guests that they need to get tested. Note also that both guests and Annual Campers “should not enter the campground if they are experiencing symptoms including cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose or sore throat that are not related to a pre-existing illness or health condition, or are otherwise required to isolate or quarantine”.
I also asked Thomas about Campers Association events this year. He confirmed that the fireworks show would be difficult to do under the current restrictions but agreed to pursue this possibility with his superiors and let us know if there are any changes. He also realized that some events may be possible even right now, if they are done correctly. This includes a possible Quad Parade, providing that there is no need for an audience to congregate or for non-cohort families to interact, which would allow everyone to abide by the physical distancing requirements. There will be a playground building event this summer. I also know that there are already plans for a Scavenger Hunt (pre-registration is required), and maybe even other events this season too. Please watch for additional information to come directly from the Campers Association later this season.
As you can see, there is still no intention to close down the Resort this summer. In fact it is quickly looking like there never was any risk of this happening. It is now officially recognized that outdoor activities are generally safer than indoor activities, and that going to your lakelot is a perfectly accepted way to live within the COVID-19 restrictions.
We may not be having a normal season at the lake, but I am sure that each of us are happy to get out of the city and watch the sunset. Please continue to respect each other’s right to abide by the physical distancing requirements, and please continue to use the COVID-19 Guidelines for using your lakelot at Fawcett Lake Resort (available on our website), as you feel is appropriate. Let’s enjoy our summer.
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As of Friday June 12, 2020 the following changes will be in effect:
Picnic Shelters
Both of the Picnic Shelters are now available for private functions. This includes the Beach Picnic Shelter and the Boat House Picnic Shelter (in Moose Park). The structures will remain closed at all other times and all functions must be booked ahead of time.
Guests
Cohort families who come to stay on your lot may now bring their own RV to the Resort, and guests are no longer limited to just those families who you are comfortable staying in your own living unit with you. Guest fees will apply as usual, and will be collected by the Campers Association. In order to continue to limit the size of gatherings at the Resort, each lot is limited to only one overnight guest RV at a time, regardless of the size of the lot (please see use of Moose Park group area for more information).
All overnight guests staying on a lot must be a cohort family of the Annual Camper that they are staying with. This is to recognize that respecting the physical distance requirements will be impossible when staying on a single lot together (again, please see use of Moose Park group area for more information).
Moose Park Group Area
The group area is now available for private overnight functions. This will allow you to have more than one family as a guest at the Resort on the same night (just not all staying on your lot), and to have guests who you do not consider to be a cohort family. Guest fees will apply as usual, and will be collected by the Campers Association. The area (other than the Boat House Picnic Shelter) will continue to be open for unscheduled informal access by all Annual Campers. However, overnight functions must be booked ahead of time. Note that this is not very different than how the area has always been operated.
Remember, all Annual Campers are now required to keep a current record of all guests that they have brought to the Resort over the most recent two week period. In the event of an outbreak at the Resort, you will be responsible to notify these guests that they need to get tested.