A sprawling recreation complex in Ottawa's east end has become the latest business to fall victim to the COVID-19 pandemic. For 44 years, the Ottawa Athletic Club on Lancaster Road has offered tennis, swimming, golf lessons, fitness classes, summer camps and other recreational activities. Before COVID-19, the 150,000-square-foot sports complex saw about 1,500 members drop in each day, said general manager Marc Peterson, who's been with the club 20 years. Gyms and fitness centres in Ontario were allowed to reopen earlier this summer, but with strict rules and extremely limited numbers that meant the Ottawa Athletic Club was only able to reopen its tennis courts and summer camps safely. The club normally employs about 150 people including administrative staff, directors, trainers and part-time instructors.

Source: CBC News September 08, 2020 20:03 UTC