Western Development Museum locations to reopen in August

Saskatchewan’s Western Development Museum locations are preparing to reopen.

Closed in March due to COVID-19 restrictions, the four locations are scheduled to open their doors again in August.

Museum members and volunteers can visit the Moose Jaw, North Battleford and Yorkton locations starting Aug. 5, with the general public to follow on Aug. 12.

Saskatoon’s museum is to open for members and volunteers on Aug. 12 and for the general public on Aug. 19.

All four locations are to be open from Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. On weekdays, the first hour of the day — from 11 a.m. to noon — is reserved for senior citizens and anyone who may be more vulnerable to COVID-19.

The number of visitors inside the museums at any one time will be limited and physical distancing will be enforced.

Patrons are being encouraged to wear masks and will have to provide contact information upon arrival for contact tracing purposes.

The museums have put in place enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols and hand-sanitizing stations will be set up.

All public programs and summer events are cancelled and the K+S Potash Canada Short Line 101 at the museum in Moose Jaw won’t be operating this year.

The museums won’t be accepting artifact donations until further notice.