Elizabeth Township: Community center to reopen; playgrounds may be closed

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

The Elizabeth Township Community Center will be open for rentals when Allegheny County enters the green phase of the governor’s COVID-19 plan, but playgrounds and public restrooms will be closing.

That was the decision after considerable discussion Monday night by the Elizabeth Township commissioners.

Township manager Joelle Whiteman recently met with managers of 23 other municipalities to discuss how recreational facilities would be handled once the county moves into the green phase Friday.

“We all agree we want to get the residents back into the facilities that they rent, but they must have under the number of people recommended by the governor and the (Centers for Disease Control),” Whiteman said.

Under the green guidelines, that limit is 250 people in one location. Whiteman suggested that anyone renting the community center sign an agreement to adhere to CDC guidelines and to be responsible for their own hygiene measures, such as disinfecting high-touch areas such as door knobs.

Commissioner Bart Rocco questioned whether the parks and recreation committee needed to be convened to review the agreement, but it was noted that the wording is basically already spelled out by the state and the CDC. Commissioners agreed to permit rentals based upon the new guidelines being drafted by Whiteman and reviewed by the committee and the solicitor.

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