Lethbridge enters Stage 2 of Alberta's "Open for Summer" plan
Thursday marked Alberta entering Stage 2 of its 'Open for Summer' plan, and no one was happier about that than movie fans.
This is the second of three stages for reopening with the government planning to lift almost all restrictions in the third phase.
While the province may not be there yet, Albertans can now enjoy more freedoms and liberties.
Those include, for the first time in nearly seven months, enjoying a night out at the movies.
Debra Binning, who owns and runs The Movie Mill with her husband Leonard, said they couldn’t be happier.
"We’re open, we’re moving forward and we’re excited to invite everyone back in," she told CTV.
Binning went on to say that if it wasn't for the community, they may not have been able to switch the projectors back on again.
"If everyone hadn't bought popcorn during the pandemic, we wouldn't be here," she said.
"We're here because everybody supported us and now we're happy to roll out the red carpet, so to speak, for them."
Gyms reopened Thursday, too.
STILL FACE RESTRICTIONS
While theatres may be open again, they still face restrictions.
They can only be filled to 30 per cent capacity and masking is still required.
The Movie Mill has been showing drive-in films on weekends for the past few weeks and will continue to do so for the remainder of the summer.
While they have been open again for a couple weeks, restaurants also got a big boost Thursday.
Indoor dining is once again allowed in the province after stage one restrictions limited restaurants to outdoor dining only.
While patio dining provides some income, places like Honkers Pub & Eatery rely heavily on indoor dining and glad it’s allowed once again.
“We actually get to re-open our dine in, we get to have six people at a table, so we get to serve people," said Honkers owner, Vicky Vanden Hoek.
"I've never wanted to serve people more in my life!"
RECREATION FACILITIES
Recreation facilities, such as the O2 Training Centre, are now also able to operate at 30 per cent capacity.
This comes after being limited to one-on-one appointments or being closed completely over the course of the pandemic.
Justin Tavernini is O2's owner and head trainer and is excited to finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.
"You have no idea how good it feels to be back in this environment, to have people back in my facility, and having my students come back," he said with a smile.
"It brings tears to my eyes. That's how good it feels."
Many restrictions may still be in place, but the new stage or reopening is providing Albertans with hope.
Now with Stage 2 reopening under way, Albertans will be eagerly awaiting Stage 3 and hopefully the end of COVID-19 restrictions.
For more information on what's available through Phase 2, visit the Province of Alberta's website.
With files by Quinn Keenan
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.