The majority of employees at the Regional Recreation Corporation of Wood Buffalo are being switched to an income bridging program.

Beginning April 17, most will receive 80 per cent of their regular income or salaries through employment insurance and a top-up paid for by the RRC.

Those who have been switched to the Supplemental Unemployment Benefit (SUB) program will no longer be required to work and will still receive their health and dental benefits.

“With the closures to all of the facilities we operate, there has been a significant impact on our operating revenues as expected. Adopting an Income Bridging Support Program provides the RRC and its employees’ stability for the time being and will allow for sustained operations beyond this pandemic,” says Graig Walsh, RRC CEO.

“We have weighed all the possible options as a team and this program is our best choice for the organization, RRC staff, and the community. We know these times are challenging for all and we appreciate the work that our team is doing and their continued flexibility as we all navigate these unprecedented circumstances.”

Only 35 people remain working including the senior leadership. The leadership has also reduced their pay to 80 percent.

The centre closed to the public on March 14 due to concerns about spreading the coronavirus.